PSG confirm Neymar ankle ligament damage

Neymar scored the second goal for PSG in the win over Lille and looked lively throughout the first half. However, he was carried off the field in tears early in the second half after colliding with Lille’s Benjamin Andre and injuring his right ankle.

PSG have revealed the Brazil international will face further tests next week but could not provide a specific timetable for his return. 

A club statement on Tuesday night read:

 “Additional tests today have confirmed that Neymar Jr has sprained his ankle, with some ligament damage.

“He will undergo further tests at the start of next week.”

PSG face a pivotal fortnight beginning with a tricky fixture against Marseille on Sunday, followed by a home match against Nantes on March 4.

After that, they travel to Germany for the all-important second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on March 8 against Bayern Munich who hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg.

In Neymar’s absence, there will be greater responsibility on the shoulders of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe to carry the Parisians through this crucial period. 

The game against Lille at the weekend needed a 95th minute free-kick from Messi to give Christophe Galtier’s side all three points. 

They will need to tighten up defensively if they are to turn the Bayern Munich tie around.