Paris (AFP)
A sumptuous jewel, between boos and amazement of the Parc des Princes: Neymar, back with the Paris Saint-Germain after four months of absence, took the first step in its long reconquest of the Parisian public against Strasbourg (1-0). an extraordinary goal. By his talent, the best possible answer to the anger of the fans.
This acrobatic return, magnificent and so precise, did not only crucify Strasbourg in the 92nd minute. He condensed all that this phenomenal player can bring in emotion. Because of the hatred that had rained for two hours from the tribune Auteuil, the one before which the Brazilian achieved his feat, the whole stadium has rocked in joy, the happiness of seeing under a red and blue jersey evolve a playmaker out common.
The hardest fringes of ultras supporters have certainly continued to boo the Brazilian, as they had done throughout the meeting. But it was with an ovation that Neymar went back after having celebrated with joy, and without provocation, his fantastic goal.
A gem of purpose that will not erase the hellish summer that have experienced the Paris fans, through the desire to leave their crack to 222 million euros. But who could not better fall for the player, if he wishes one day to be able to push back the lawn of the Park otherwise than as a plague.
For 91 minutes, it's like a stranger that Ney appeared in the eyes of fans. These had announced it, they did not leave him a moment of respite, and this since the warm-up.
- Copiously whistled -
At the announcement of his name in the composition, where he appeared as holder? Heavily conspired. His first touch of ball? Copiously whistled, as many have followed. When to draw the corners? Basically booed. When, ideally launched, he tries - and misses a little pitifully - a distant lob (31st)? Welcomed under a deafening bronca.
During the first three minutes of the match, the turn Auteuil sang "Neymar, hijo de puta", "son of p *" in Spanish, in chorus and with a spirit at least as pronounced as when it was necessary to salute the first parade of goalkeeper Keylor Navas (18th), recruited Real Madrid and tenured for the first time, or the entry into play for half an hour of new center forward Mauro Icardi.
Already vindictive for the resumption of the championship on August 11, the ultras were again inspired Saturday in their slogans, using even Portuguese for one of them inviting - according to Brazilian journalists not so at ease to translate the message - the crack dad to sell his son in a neighborhood with cheap brothels in Rio de Janeiro.
Philosopher, and surely aware of the dirty afternoon he was going to spend in the sixteenth arrondissement, the Brazilian had published a few minutes before the kickoff a motivational message on his social networks: "Course, course as if it was the last day of your life! " No excuses yet.
Excuses, some fans were waiting for it, near the Park. "He must be low profile," had hammered Loïc, 33 years of which 22 as a subscriber, for whom it was "out of the question" to encourage the man to 222 million euros. "For me, he is no longer entitled to claim anything here".
- An exceptional goal -
Low profile ? It was not quite the style of the star of the Seleçao, little inclined to be discreet on a lawn. As usual, he has sometimes plagued his teammates (including a poor choice Pablo Sarabia, 43) and against arbitration, for example on a hanging a little limit (45 + 1).
But his exceptional goal, and his rather neutral celebration - a ball put under his shirt after keen hugs with his teammates -, proved that there was not everything to throw in this Brazilian of 27 years. Especially one minute after his realization, he thought to register a double, and it is pointing his teammate Angel Di Maria, author of the last pass, he began to celebrate his goal ... finally refused .
No, everything is not to be thrown away: Neymar accelerated gradually over the match, raising the level and impact in the absence of Kylian Mbappé and Edinson Cavani, wounded, even though he had just returned from a rally in selection in the United States.
He who had not worn the Parisian jersey since May, between suspension, injury and sidelining the group, wanted to the end, and was rewarded.
To the point of certainly doubt some fans about the first shock of the season against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday. Because this duel, Neymar will miss it for a suspension. The feat will have to come from elsewhere.
© 2019 AFP