Is it Neymar’s Brazilian roots? Or is it that adamant will to enjoy on the turf, irrespective of the results? Not since the heydays of Ronaldinho, another Brazilian maestro, have we seen a footballer of that high a caliber taking utmost joy in just entertaining the crowd.
In yet another show of his brilliance and cheekiness, Neymar asked a flummoxed Waasland-Beveren goalkeeper which way to shoot before pulling off a brilliant pass penalty in a brilliant one-two with Mauro Icardi.
When and How-
PSG were playing hosts to the second division club Waasland-Beveren at Le Parc Des Princes ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal clash against Atlanta on the 13th of August.
In what was a routine 7-0 routing by the French champions, one moment particularly stood out. Just a minute into the 2nd half PSG had a chance to triple their lead after 2 early goals. As Neymar stood over the ball, he made a gesture to the keeper asking which way he wanted it in-before pulling off a brilliant pass for Icardi.
Neymar asked the keeper which corner to shoot, this guy is so goated. pic.twitter.com/eE35DxoV8f
— Galu (@PSGalu) July 17, 2020
The art of the pass penalty entered the ethos of modern footballing culture after the famous Messi-Suarez one-two against Celta Vigo in 2014. Just 12 hours earlier to the Neymar masterclass, the Real Madrid duo of Benzema and Ramos had tried and failed embarrassingly attempting the same.
That was not all for Neymar in the clash. In another show of his brilliance, he took the ball on just outside the box, humiliated the Waasland defenders in his typical fashion before laying it off for Di Maria to slot it home.
What’s next for Neymar and PSG-
PSG who were until now basking in the glory of another Ligue 1 title amidst the corona lockdown are up against a flamboyant Atalanta unit in the UEFA CL quarterfinal on the 13th of August. And while it should have seemed like an easy clash for the champions at the beginning of the season, Gasperini led Atlanta have been in imperious form, having scored 94 goals in Serie A this season.
Neymar is one of the most vital cogs in this PSG side and if they are to have any hopes of getting their hands on the coveted European silverware, then Neymar must fire. The initial signs have been extremely encouraging and there is absolutely no doubting his ability if he can somehow remain fit.
But, the million-dollar(actually a 350 Million dollar ) question remains -Can Neymar, perhaps the single most talented footballer of this generation chain down his inner prankster enough to become what he has been destined to?
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