It was a joy to watch Neymar in the Champions League last night as Paris Saint-Germain recorded a stunning win over Atalanta.The Brazilian was the protagonist, producing 16 successful dribbles as PSG found a way through.Marquinhos and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the late, late goals to seal a 2-1 win for Thomas Tuchel’s side in Lisbon.But Neymar was the star. He responded from an early miss to torment Atalanta throughout.It really wasn’t much of a surprise when, at the end of the match, Neymar was seen with the Man of the Match award.
However, many fans were led to believe that the 28-year-old gave his award to PSG’s hero, Choupo-Moting, at the end.A photo of Choupo-Moting holding the trophy was snapped and shared on social media.
It appeared at first to be a lovely gesture from Neymar - but footage shows it’s not what really happened.
Choupo-Moting had actually taken the award from Neymar’s hand before presenting it to him.
“Congratulations, good game,” Choupo-Moting says to his teammate.
So it was Neymar’s award all along.
He was later confirmed as the official Man of the Match by the Champions League on Twitter.
What a game, though.
PSG looked set for certain defeat as the game entered the closing minutes, and it would have been disastrous for Neymar and Tuchel.
Another defeat at this stage of the Champions League?
Fans and the media would have had a field day pouring on a team that has spent huge sums of money to win the competition.
But they did it. And the manner of their victory might just give PSG extra belief that this really could be their year.
They will face either Manchester City or Lyon in the semi-finals.