Neymar and PSG - A Date With Destiny?

Antoine Dellenbach, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

One of the many hot takes that flooded social media, after Paris Saint-Germain downed Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League, summed up the unlikely redemption arc that Brazilian star Neymar has found himself on in recent months.

"Didn't think Neymar would be the world's most underrated footballer in 2021 but here we are," a Twitter user mused.

Indeed, Neymar went from being reviled in the aftermath of his antics at the 2018 World Cup to letting his football do the talking against Bayern.

David Flores, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

In the first leg, that PSG won 3-2, Neymar was the architect of all three goals that his team scored. Despite his team losing the second leg 0-1 and only progressing to the semis via away goals, the Brazilian was still the best player on the pitch, hitting the woodwork twice and creating multiple chances.

There was one moment when he left a defender for dead and curled the ball over three other players, onto the crossbar, that reminded the world of the outrageous talent that he possess.

Neymar may have been a constant source of frustration for PSG fans, thanks to his on-field antics and his constant chatter about leaving the club, but now they found themselves singing his praise.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Neymar_Presentation.jpg

It could be that the Brazilian, who became the world's most expensive footballer when he joined PSG from Barcelona in 2017, has finally grown up and shed his reputation as a wild-child.

It could be related to the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino that has enabled him to pair up with a coach who plays to his strengths.

Neymar now stands on the cusp of a turnaround that is not only his own but that of his club as well.

For years, despite their wealth, winning the UEFA Champions League remained an unfulfilled dream for PSG, as they found themselves the object of ridicule for managing to crash out of the tournament in the unlikeliest of ways. After reaching the final last season, they are now in the final four again.

Football.ua, CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons

Indications are that PSG's reign at the top of European football may only have begun.

A strong Manchester City side, helmed by a brilliant coach in Pep Guardiola, now stands in their way, but few will dare to bet against the side that knocked the defending champions out. Especially, with Neymar playing the way he is.

A couple of years ago, the enduring image of the competition was the Brazilian, standing on the sidelines, his eyes wide in disbelief as Marcus Rashford celebrated an unlikely last-minute winner for Manchester United.

This year, Neymar may finally get to replace that with a more triumphant image.