Grading PSG: Neymar Silences Critics After Tumultuous Summer

Now that the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season is over, it’s time to hand out some grades to the Paris Saint-Germain players for their performance in the French top flight.

Note: In order to be graded, each player needed to have appeared in at least five Ligue 1 matches this season.

Neymar Jr.

Intro: How good has Neymar Jr. been in Ligue 1 this season for Paris Saint-Germain? Well, one indicator is that he was given a yellow card for flicking the ball over a defender’s head. Apparently, the Brazilian is a little too good at football.

After a tumultuous summer where Neymar tried to orchestrate a transfer back to FC Barcelona, the 28-year-old returned to PSG for the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season and has been nothing short of phenomenal.

According to Ligue 1 stats, Neymar is the only player to rank in the top five in both goals scored and assists this season. He scored several game-winning goals and his partnership with Kylian Mbappé has transformed PSG’s attack into a dominating force that recorded a total of 75 goals in Ligue 1 before football was shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Off the pitch, Neymar has been professional when dealing with the media even when the PSG Ultras jeered him at the start of the season for his involvement in the summer transfer drama. He even toned down his birthday celebration to show that he’s becoming more of a leader.

There was a set-back last October due to a hamstring injury during the international break (thanks, Brazil national team…), but Neymar was able to bounce back and pick up where he left off before the injury to complete an incredible season.

Stats:

15 Appearances
13 Goals
6 Assists
102 min. Scoring Frequency
10 Big Chances Created
47.1 Accurate Passes per Game
3 Yellow Cards
1 Yellow-Red

Final Grade: A+

Outlook: After two disappointing seasons, PSG fans finally got to see what a healthy and motivated Neymar can do. His contract with the club runs until 2022 but there is constant speculation linking him with a return to Barcelona. No one really knows what Neymar is thinking but the fact is Barcelona cannot afford Neymar, at least not this summer they can’t. If PSG can convince Neymar to sign an extension, not only will that (hopefully) quiet the transfer rumors, but it could lead to Mbappé extending his stay as well. A remarkable feat that few would have thought possible at the start of the season.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG TalkingThe 1970, and 24th & Parc.

Tags Barcelona Grading PSG Kylian Mbappé Ligue 1 Neymar
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