Neymar may not have been present with the PSG squad when they won the league and cup, but he has gotten his hand on an excellent prize before the season ends. Ahead of the final game of this campaign, the UNFP awards were given out with the Brazilian picking up the Ligue 1 Player of the Year prize.
The Selecao ace has finally added an individual accolade, although not the one he truly desires, after sealing his record-breaking transfer from Barcelona. The 26-year-old faced stiff competition but beat out the likes of Edinson Cavani and Florian Thauvin.
Cavani, the player who won this award last season, ended the season as the league’s top scorer. Thauvin has scored 22 times this term and has assisted another 11. So why did Neymar win this award ahead of his fellow nominees?
It’s simple: the world’s most expensive player contributed to 32 goals, two less than his Uruguayan team-mate and one less than the Marseille ace. This is despite the fact that the former Santos sensation has played 12and 14 fewer games than the two other players, respectively.
Neymar has not played a minute of football since breaking his metatarsal back in February. Nonetheless, he sits third in the top scorers’ chart and has the most assists under his belt this term.
And then there was the flare he brought to Les Parisiens in 2017/18. He has made 142 take-ons and getting the ball from him proved difficult as proved by the 102 fouls he won.
The South American superstar made 90 shot, but was selfless on most occasions, creating a staggering 69 chances. Had injury not ended his season, Neymar’s numbers could have reached scary heights.
