Touched Sunday in Saint-Etienne, "Ney" suffers from a sprained left ankle with ligament injuries, which must move him away from the ground between "six and eight weeks," PSG said on Monday.

The Brazilian will make his comeback, at best, for shock in Lyon on the weekend of January 9, or otherwise after the winter tour in Qatar and Saudi Arabia (January 16-20).

But a happy news brought back a smile to the leaders: with this new Ballon d'Or received on Monday, Messi became the first player wearing the colors of the Parisian club to receive this distinction.

Paris Saint-Germain Argentine striker Lionel Messi poses with the Ballon d'Or, the 7th of his career, during the Ballon d'Or France Football ceremony, on November 29, 2021 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris FRANCK FIFE AFP

After the emotions of the gala at the Théâtre du Châtelet, the Argentinian was a little woozy Tuesday morning: sick, he missed the day's training with "symptoms of gastroenteritis" according to the medical press release from PSG.

"A point will be made tomorrow (Wednesday) morning", specifies the club.

Anyway, this seventh crown of best player in the world increases the expectations around Lionel Messi tenfold: will he be able to take over the game of the leader of Ligue 1 in the absence of Neymar?

Without "Ney", Paris accustomed

But long before Messi, PSG had learned to play without its Brazilian star.

Since his arrival in the summer of 2017, the most expensive player in history (222 million euros) has missed more than a hundred matches.

Injuries, suspensions, Covid-19, selection ... "Ney" has used all the reasons for absence, but Paris has won 75% of the matches played without him.

The Brazilian striker of Paris Saint-Germain Neymar, on the ground after a tackle against Lille, during the 12th day of Ligue 1, October 29, 2021 at the Parc des Princes Bertrand GUAY AFP / Archives

Nice saw it at his expense, since the Aiglons lost in their last three confrontations against PSG ... which the Brazilian has all missed.

Statistics therefore suggest that PSG should go through the difficult streak that is coming (Nice, Lens, Bruges in C1, Monaco) without too much damage from an accounting perspective.

But what has stuck in recent weeks at PSG is not the results, it is the quality of play offered by the players of coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Argentinian Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino, during the Champions League group match against Manchester City on November 24, 2021 at the Etihad Stadium Oli SCARFF AFP

The Argentine technician, targeted by rumors of departure, promised "improvements" after the defeat in the Champions League to Manchester City (2-1) on November 24.

But the break-in of the Messi-Neymar-Mbappé ("MNM") attacking trio, the keystone of his offensive system, will still have to be delayed.

Between injuries and late returns of selection, the trio have been aligned only eight times out of the 19 games played since the transfer of the "Pulga" in August.

And time is running out for PSG, who have three months to re-mobilize and put their game down for the knockout stages of the Champions League, in February and March.

Argentine connection?

The absence of Neymar should benefit in the first place Angel di Maria, whom the 4-3-3 often used by Pochettino relegated to the bench, as against Manchester City.

Without "Ney", he becomes a full holder again.

His automatisms with Messi, whom he has been working with in Argentina since 2008, can bring something new, if "La Pulga" is fit Wednesday.

"I'm doing my best to maybe bring a different option. For example with + Leo + in the axis and me on the side, we have often done it already," said Di Maria, Friday at the microphone of RMC Sport.

Argentine strikers Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria, warming up before their match against Lyon, September 19, 2021 at Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

In Saint-Etienne, the two compatriots found each other, but in the other direction: Messi served Di Maria for the 2-1 goal.

The agreement between Messi and Mbappé, promising against Leipzig (3-2) in October, also suggests some sparks.

In short, PSG always has enough to spend the winter warm.

© 2021 AFP