20.10.2019 | Author: Amir Bashir

Revealed – Neymar injury record since he joined PSG from Barcelona

Not a good read for PSG fans

BRASILIA, BRAZIL - JUNE 05: Neymar Jr. of Brazil reacts during the International Friendly Match between Brazil and Qatar at Mane Garrincha Stadium on June 5, 2019 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

The Brazilian faces a month out after he pulled his hamstring while during his national team’s 1-1 draw with Nigeria in an international friendly earlier this week.

Since his €222m arrival from FC Barcelona in the summer of 2017, Neymar has missed 53 games for Paris Saint-Germain due to multiple injuries.

That means that the Brazilian superstar has missed more than 45% of the 122 games that the Les Parisiens have played during his stay at the Parc des Princes.

To put into perspective how much football has Neymar missed during his 2-year stay in Paris, the former Barcelona man has only taken part in 1 Champions League knock-out in his PSG career.

During both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons, he was out of action due to the same injury which will now keep Neymar out for a month – a fractured metatarsal in the 27-year-old’s right foot.

PSG have every right to be angry over Neymar injury record

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 28: Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain reacts on the ground after being challenged by James Milner of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool at Parc des Princes on November 28, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

His latest injury which Neymar picked up while on international duty has ruled the 27-year-old out of action for at least a month.

Apart from the club’s Friday night 4-1 victory over Nice, the Brazilian will be forced to watch from the sidelines as his side takes on the likes of Marseille, Dijon, and Brest during the next four weeks.

The 27-year-old will also be absent from the two Champions League games which PSG will play against Club Brugge during this period.

His latest injury has greatly frustrated the French champions who are reportedly angry with the CBF, the Brazilian national football federation.

Forbes report that the club’s higher-ups aren’t happy at the South American nation’s decision to international friendlies in Singapore, terming the decision “abusive”.

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How can Neymar get rid of his injury troubles?

Was soll man da machen? PSG-Superstar Neymar. — NAPLES, ITALY - NOVEMBER 06: Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain in action during the Group C match of the UEFA Champions League between SSC Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain at Stadio San Paolo on November 6, 2018 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Given the fact that his absence from the pitch hurts both his club and the national team, it is in the interest of all parties involved to sit together and come up with a solution.

While Brazil cannot drop the Brazilian given the attention he brings to the national team, one thing they could do is use Neymar sparingly in international friendlies. The national team coach Tite could come also come up with an individualized training program for the player when he isn’t busy with club duties.

As for PSG, the club needs to understand that the main reason why they paid Barca bucket-loads of money was for the Brazilian to win them the UEFA Champions League title. They’d do well to save the 27-year-old from easy games early in the season to keep him fresher for the crucial spring period.

Ultimately, though, the responsibility lies with the player. He has to change his reputation from an injury-prone superstar to one whom PSG could rely on to deliver title-winning performances.

His show-boating skills on the ball attract the ire of opposition defenders, so Neymar could do well to take the theatrics out of his game. Until he does that, the war of words between Brazil and PSG over who is responsible for the 27-year-old’s injury record won’t abate.