The five reasons Neymar will not miss PSG vs Real Madrid
The Brazilian footballer hurt his ankle during the weekend's action
Alarm bells rang after PSG's 3-0 win over Marseille, because Neymar Jr left the pitch on a stretcher, in pain. After the initial scare coach Unai Emery calmed his fans down by saying Ney will be back for the game on March 6 which sees PSG host Real Madrid in the UCL last 16 second leg.
With each hour that passes the idea that Neymar will be back in time to play grows. Here are five reasons why...
1. THERE IS NO RUPTURE
The most important factor is that Neymar's right ankle has not ruptured or torn. It is an injury that should resolve itself in a few days, and not keep him out long enough he loses match fitness.
2. INJECTIONS
Neymar is suffering pain but that is not impossible to solve with numbing injections. It's not an ideal situation but can help reduce the inflammation and give him more comfort during the game.
3. CENTRE OF ATTENTION
Neymar is a star. An extrovert who loves being the focus of everyone's gaze. That's one of the reasons he left Barca, to get the No 10 and become the key figure for a team. Planet Football will be watching PSG-Madrid and Neymar wants to battle with Cristiano Ronaldo.
4. PSG's PSYCHOLOGICAL WAR
Unai Emery wants all his weapons available to mount a comeback after the 3-1 defeat, and he will use the pyschological factor of maintaining the doubts of over Neymar until the last minute. Zinedine Zidane's plans will be built around whether Neymar starts or not - and PSG know it.
5. TIME TO RECOVER
PSG and Neymar have the league sewn up, 14 points over Monaco, 16 over Marseille, and have reached the league cup final (March 31, vs Monaco). They are in the quarters of the French Cup - so if they get knocked out of the UCL, their great objective, the Brazilian will have a lot of time to recover before the World Cup in Russia - Neymar's other big target.
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