French Clubs

Paris Saint-Germain was always going to be facing an uphill battle. After allowing three unanswered goals in a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, a comeback became even more unlikely when Neymar injured himself right before his sister’s birthday. But the Brazilian really missed by PSG vs Real Madrid in the Champions League was not Neymar but experienced defender Dani Alves. 

Joan Gaspart, the former FC Barcelona president from July 2000 to Feb. 2003, used some pretty choice words with regards to former players Luis Figo and Neymar when speaking with Radio Marca on Monday. 

Gaspart was a hugely successful vice president when serving under Josep Lluis Nunez at Barca, but his short-lived stint as president was immediately rocked by the departure of club captain Luis Figo to eternal rivals Real Madrid.  

Timothy Weah, the son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, made his senior debut for Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, coming on as a 79th minute substitute in the club’s victory over Troyes in Ligue 1 play. Timothy just celebrated his 18th birthday on Feb. 22, and the native of New York City almost snatched a goal on his first appearance.

With Neymar potentially out for the rest of the season, Lucas Moura gone to Tottenham Hotspur, Kylian Mbappe nursing a right ankle injury and Edinson Cavani and Javier Pastore being rested in preparation for Real Madrid in the Champions League next week, it looks like 18-year-old American youth international Timothy Weah will make his PSG debut on Saturday against Troyes.

Weah, the son of 1995 Ballon d'Or winner George Weah, is not even listed as being on the first team on PSG's website.

In the 77th minute of PSG’s routine 3-0 victory over Marseille Sunday night, a seemingly innocuous moment led to Neymar remaining on the ground while play continued around him. 10 seconds later, with Neymar still writhing in agony and in clear discomfort, PSG played the ball out so their Brazilian star could receive treatment. 

Neymar was then stretchered off the field while crying inconsolably. For many, the world’s most expensive player had clearly just suffered a serious injury (perhaps a broken ankle), calling into question his participation at the World Cup.

No surprise really, but the first leg of the Real Madrid-PSG Champions League Round of 16 matchup was a huge success for broadcasters as the two-time defending champions rallied for a 3-1 victory on Wednesday in Madrid. As the numbers from the Real Madrid-PSG TV ratings begin to trickle in, we’re beginning to learn just how big of a deal the match was for countries around the world, especially those without a team in the fight.