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#3 PSG 8-0 Dijon (January 17, 2018)
It was the match that ultimately sparked comments from midfielder Adrian Rabiot that Ligue 1 was proving too easy for PSG and hindering their chances in the Champions League. However, it would not have been so straightforward without Neymar in such deliciously ruthless form against an opponent entirely incapable of stopping him.
Angel Di Maria’s early double had put PSG in command, with Neymar, of course, grabbing an assist for the second. Edinson Cavani then chipped in with PSG's third.
From the 40th minute onwards, however, it was the Neymar show, as he helped to batter a helpless opponent. His first was an exquisite free-kick, while his second was a simple finish after a defensive error.
Number three was the result of a fine solo run at the heart of the defence, and his fourth was a penalty. And he added a second assist in there for good measure.
Given the level of the opponent and the timing of the game, it would be remiss to consider this a defining display in his career, but it was certainly one of the most merciless.
#2 Atalanta 1-2 PSG (August 12, 2020)
What made Neymar’s display against Atalanta so impressive was not just what he achieved in the game but also the context in which it was done in.
There was immense pressure on PSG coming into this match. They were expected to ease past Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-finals and move into the semis without trouble.
However, that was an entirely unfair assumption that chronically underestimated a dangerous opponent, who, of course, took the lead.
Neymar had been a massive doubt prior to this match and did not have his partner in crime, Kylian Mbappe, to support him in the main. As such, he shouldered the bulk of PSG’s expectation throughout the match.
He made an astonishing 16 dribbles over 90 minutes, offered seven shots and had a game-high 113 touches – simply outrageous for an attacking player.
PSG went into the last minute trailing 1-0, but Neymar’s persistence paid off; he set up Marquinhos for the equaliser, which preceded Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting’s winner by seconds.
Neymar was awarded the Man of the Match but graciously gave the award to Choupo-Moting – hardly the mark of the egomaniac he is purported to be.
#1 PSG 6-2 Toulouse (August 20, 2017) - Neymar's home debut
It is fair to say that Neymar hit the ground running in Paris, showing absolutely no signs of being daunted by his massive transfer fee.
On his debut against Guingamp away from home, Neymar expressed his samba football quite beautifully in a 3-0 win, netting a goal and proving an assist, yet his first match at Parc des Princes was arguably better.
Toulouse had taken a surprise lead in the match, but this advantage was quickly cancelled out by Neymar, who followed up a shot that was saved by the goalkeeper by producing an easy finish.
Neymar's second goal, which arrived in stoppage time to cap off PSG's win, may have been anecdotal, but it was brilliant. The Brazilian showed incredible footwork in the box to dance past a couple of challenges to score.
In between his two strikes, he persistently teased the opponents and created goals for Adrien Rabiot and Layvin Kurzawa too as PSG turned what had been an early deficit into a resounding victory.
If PSG’s supporters loved Neymar before he had turned out at their home venue, they were positively enamoured with him now.
