Heading into the matchday five UEFA Champions League group stage fixture against Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain needed to pick up a win on the road to remain in control of their destiny.
In matches where a club desperately needs a victory, they’ll look to their superstar players to answer the call, which Neymar Jr. did in the 3-1 win over the Red Devils.
The 28-year-old scored the first goal of the match at the sixth-minute mark to give PSG an early 1-0 lead. Then he provided the third goal for Les Parisiens to ice the game as they walked out of Old Trafford with a 3-1 win on the back of two Neymar goals.
After the match, the Brazil international spoke Esporte Interativo, where he discussed the victory and mentioned that playing in Europa League wasn’t an option for them.
“That’s why I said that if we didn’t change our attitude, we could forget the dream of the Champions League. But we have changed. And today, we dream again. Of course, I’ve never seen myself knocked out of the Champion’s League or playing the Europa League,” Neymar said.
“It never went through my head, and it won’t. Arriving at these types of moments of difficulty, I manage to evolve and take my responsibilities. I did not come here to play the Europa League.”
Next, Neymar discussed being a figure and a leader on the PSG squad, considering that the club needed a win to remain in control of their destiny, and he delivered with a two-goal performance.
“I have always felt like a leader. Since I was 17, I have never needed the armband to feel it. Today I am a figure of Paris Saint-Germain. All I can do on the ground has an impact on my teammates and what I want is help, give the best of myself,” Neymar said.
“I’m a very boring guy on the pitch, I’m a lot on my teammates, but I’m also ready to take criticism, let them be on me too. I am not untouchable. Everyone is fighting for the same thing. I am very happy to be able to help my teammates.”
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