How will PSG cope following Neymar’s latest injury problems?

For many people who love to watch international soccer, the most exciting team from the past 30 or 40 years has to be Brazil. It is a nation that is known for its flair and party atmosphere, and this also comes across on the pitch as well. Down the years, we have been treated to the likes of Pele, Garrincha, Romario, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldinho. They have been able to produce skills and tricks that most of us couldn’t even think of, let alone attempt, and all the while performing to an incredibly high level, winning multiple international tournaments.

This current Brazil side is not short of talent either. The likes of Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Jesus, Alisson Becker, Phillippe Coutinho and, of course, Neymar (much more on him later) means that the Brazilians have a formidable line up. So much so, that with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar now less than 11 months away from starting, Brazil are the current favourite in the betting markets, with odds of 31/5. This puts them ahead of Spain (7/1) France (9/1) and England (10/1), as well as their old foes Argentina, who are 10/1.

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One player who will be key to Brazil keeping up with their betting favourite status at the 2022 World Cup is Neymar, who is not only their current leading goalscorer with 70, but is also their captain and leader. Everything good goes through him, and he is able to lift his side when they need it most.

This also applies to his club side, Paris Saint Germain. Neymar, alongside Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi form a formidable front line for the French club, and since his arrival there in 2017, has taken them to 3 league titles, several domestic cups, and the Champions League final in 2020.

Unfortunately, because he plays such a key part to these sides, it means when he is injured, the whole team suffers. We saw this most starkly in the 2014 World Cup, where without Neymar in their team (he injured his back during the Quarter-Final clash with Colombia) they collapsed in dramatic style, losing 7-1 to Germany, in one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.

Unfortunately for PSG and Brazil, Neymar is injured again. Let’s look closer at what this latest setback is, and how it might affect things going forward into 2022, including the betting odds for both teams, who will certainly be missing their star striker.

 

What is the injury?

During a Ligue 1 match against Saint-Etienne, PSG had started well. Neymar had a goal ruled out for offside in the 5th minute, but played a key role as his side were 2-1 up and cruising to another victory. He then went over on his left ankle, and was down on the ground in considerable pain. It then emerged that he has suffered ligament damage, and will be unavailable to play for the next 6-8 weeks.

 

How will this affect PSG and Brazil?

While an injury, especially one that will affect him for the best part of 2 months, is never ideal, the one good thing for Neymar and PSG is that in Ligue 1, they are miles ahead of the competition. They are top with 45 points, with the next closest side, Marseille, 13 points behind them. No wonder then that PSG currently have odds of 1/100 to win this year’s title. It is as close to a sure thing you will ever see when looking for odds and betting on soccer.

So while domestically things are looking good, what will be more concerning is the upcoming Champions League knockout tie, where they have been drawn against the Spanish giants Real Madrid. The first leg is scheduled for the 15th of February, by which time Neymar should have returned to the side. However, he will be incredibly short of match fitness, so it is unlikely to be at his very best. Considering how desperately PSG want success in the Champions League, they will be praying Neymar doesn’t suffer any further setbacks, and can hit the ground running on his return. They are currently 1/1 betting favourites in the first leg, but these odds will change if Neymar doesn’t return in time.

For Brazil, they have several World Cup qualifying matches coming up in January, against Ecuador and Paraguay. Ordinarily, Neymar would expect to feature in these matches. However, as they have already safely qualified, it doesn’t matter too much that the captain will be missing.

Both PSG and Brazil will be hoping this is his last injury setback for the season, so he can carry on fit and at his best for the foreseeable future.

Sources: theguardian.com / cbssports.com / bbc.co.uk