Brazilian striker Neymar had to be stretchered off after suffering an ankle injury during PSG’s epic comeback victory over LOSC Lille.
Lionel Messi scored the game-winner with a stunning free-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure a 4-3 win, but the Parisians took a significant blow earlier in the game.
Neymar suffers injury
Early in the second half, Neymar collided with Lille midfielder Benjamin Andre as he tried to win the ball, but sprained his ankle during an awkward landing.
Initially, the 31-year-old attempted to walk off the pitch, but had to be stretchered off, unable to hold back his tears. Neymar is now a big doubt for PSG’s Champions League second leg against Bayern Munich.
The French team trailed Bayern 1-0 in the first leg and will need to work at full speed to overcome the deficit at the Allianz Arena.
This season, Neymar has been a vital player for Christophe Galtier’s side, scoring 17 goals and 16 assists in all competitions.
Messi takes the victory
The game itself was a thriller that saw the momentum swing between PSG and Lille multiple times.
PSG led by two early goals as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe each netted one within the first twenty minutes to give PSG a comfortable lead.
However, Lille then seized the initiative and scored three unanswered goals as they won 3–2. It looked as if the visiting team would walk away with a stunning victory, but Mbappé equalized in the 87th minute.
With the match headed for a draw, Messi scored the game-winner in the 95th minute to give his team victory and raise the roof of the Parc des Princes.
The result means the reigning champions top the Ligue 1 standings with 57 points from 24 matches, eight clear of second-placed Marseille, who will play later on Sunday night.
Photo credit: IMAGO / PanoramiC
