After getting bounced by Real Madrid in the Champions League, collectively booed by its own supporters at the Parc des Princes and hammered by Monaco at Stade Louis II, no club appreciated the international break more than PSG.
Last stop in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, and there are still a few spots for the 2022 World Cup up for grabs. Brazil and Argentina are already on the plane, while Ecuador, Uruguay, Perú, Chile and Colombia are still fighting for two direct tickets and one inter-confederation playoff slot.
What do they need to fulfill their dreams? Here we have a guide with the results that could send them to Qatar.
Paris Saint-Germain returned home Sunday to fierce boos, jeers and whistles after again turning itself into a global laughingstock with a preposterous 29-minute Champions League collapse against Real Madrid last Wednesday.
It's rare to spot a soccer star in fan mode, but on Monday night, Neymar looked like a child fulfilling his biggest dream during the international premiere of "The Batman." PSG's maestro was THE special guest at the event held in Paris and had the chance to snatch some pictures alongside Robert Pattinson (Batman) and Zoë Kravitz (Catwoman), the two main stars in the movie.
"The Bat, the Cat, and @neymarjr are kicking into high gear in the Batmobile," posted the official account of the film, showing Neymar's joy.
Paris St. Germain and Brazil forward Neymar would like to play in the United States-based Major League Soccer for at least a season before he calls time on his career.
Neymar, who is under contract at PSG until June 2025, said he was more likely to play in the U.S. than return to his home country.
"I don't know if I'll play in Brazil again," the 30-year-old said on the Fenomenos podcast. "I have some doubts about that.
"I'd love to play in the U.S. actually. I'd love to play there at least for a season.
Paris Saint-Germain’s penalty kick woes continued Saturday during the team’s 3-1 loss to Nantes in Ligue 1. Lionel Messi saw his penalty kick against Real Madrid in the Champions League saved on Tuesday. Four days later Neymar has topped Messi’s penalty fail with one of his own. This Neymar penalty vs Nantes is about as dismal as they come.
Brazilian police have arrested a man they believe hacked into Neymar’s bank accounts and repeatedly stole small sums of money amounting to more than $40,000, officials in São Paulo said.
Police said the alleged hacker worked at an unnamed bank where the Paris St Germain and Brazil player and his business manager father had accounts.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead (Brazil doesn't win the 2014 World Cup)
"He's in constant chaos, you know? He often creates it," says Dani Alves with a laugh during the opening of Neymar's new Netflix documentary. "He seems to enjoy that perfect chaos."
And with that we not only have the basis of the title — Neymar: The Perfect Chaos — but a good synopsis of the polarizing footballer who delights in the roles of entertainer, savior, clown, antihero and villain without ever really knowing, or caring, which mask he's going to don on any given day.
Love him, hate him or simply appreciate the dazzling array of skills and laugh at the ability to turn into Simone Biles on the floor, Neymar is one of only a handful of footballers that completely captivate when taking the pitch. Of course there's also the lifestyle off it: the numerous love interests, the Gatsby-esque parties fueled by an annual income of $95 million, the ever-present entourage and everything he means to a football-mad country like Brazil.
When these teams met in Paris a couple of months ago, Manchester City bossed the game but PSG still won by two. In Manchester, the Citizens didn’t quite dominate as much, but they came away with what matters most: more goals.