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PSG are one of the European heavyweights, but they were only founded 51 years ago. Since Qatar Sports Investments purchased the club in 2011, PSG have won the Ligue 1 title seemingly at will. Over the last decade, the Paris-based club have won seven league titles and finished runner-up on three other occasions.
The recent shift in continental power from La Liga to the Premier League has also resulted in PSG’s rise. They have purchased former La Liga superstars like Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, Sergio Ramos and Keylor Navas.
PSG crave their first Champions League trophy
Teams like Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Chelsea have won the UEFA Champions League in recent years. However, the highest honour in European club football still eludes them. A few months ago, PSG snapped up Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Georginio Wijnaldum; three players who have won the Champions League.
Whether or not they are able to break their duck in the Champions League, one thing is for sure: PSG are home to a profusion of world-class players.
Quite a few of these players are agile, skilful and good at dribbling. They could easily thrive on a 5-a-side pitch. On that note, here are five PSG players who wouldn’t look out of place in PSG’ hypothetical 5-a-side team right now.
#1 Gianluigi Donnarumma
Apart from the aforementioned Keylor Navas, PSG have the luxury of being able to call on Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian goalkeeper recently switched allegiances from Milan to PSG. His talents have been known since he burst onto the scene in 2016. However, his recent displays for Milan and Italy have made him one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Just like on the football field, there is not much to separate Donnarumma and Navas. However, the former gets the nod due to his slightly better reflexes and diving ability.
Donnaruuma’s tall 6’ 5” frame would also aid him to locate forward runners. The 22-year-old also gets brownie points for his leadership and ability to communicate with his defenders.
Considering all these factors, Donnarumma’s selection in PSG’s five-a-side team would be pretty straightforward. The UEFA Euro 2020 winner was adjudged the Player of the Tournament for his heroic efforts in the penalty shootouts. He went on to beat Edouard Mendy to win the 2021 Yashin trophy last month.
#2 Marquinhos
Marquinhos has been a wonderful player for PSG, and is already considered one of their greatest defenders of all time.
The 27-year-old completed his apprenticeship under fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva, and has now taken over as PSG’s main man at the back. Despite Sergio Ramos’ arrival, Marquinhos has retained his captain’s armband.
Marquinhos has been at PSG since 2013, making over 200 appearances, and shows no signs of leaving Parc des Princes. Despite being a centre-back by trade, his pace, passing range and ability to get out of trouble is commendable. He has also been deployed as a right-back and defensive midfield during his career.
The PSG captain pips attacking full-back Achraf Hakimi to find a place in this hypothetical 5-a-side lineup. Although Hakimi would arguably be more threatening to the opposition, Marquinhos would fit in better. That is mainly because of the ilk of world-class forwards PSG are able to field in the rest of their lineup.
#3 Marco Verratti
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti looks like he is built to play 5-a-side football. The 5’ 7” regista has been able to hold his own in the middle of the park, often going up against physically gifted players.
Verratti started his PSG career as an attacking playmaker, but has since transformed into a more deep-lying midfielder.
The Italian drew comparisons with legendary midfielder Andrea Pirlo, as their playing styles are very similar. The PSG no.6 has spent almost a decade in the French capital. While his selection in this hypothetical 5-a-side would be inevitable, it means one of PSG’s much-vaunted front three would miss out.
Nevertheless, Verratti merits his inclusion in PSG’s hypothetical 5-a-side team. His agility, dribbling and passing prowess would make for a deadly combination in the restricted playing area. The midfielder is also quite astute when it comes to winning the ball back and working hard for the team. That would help PSG immensely in a 5-a-side setup.
#4 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi broke the internet when news emerged of his Barcelona departure a few months ago. Given their big pockets, PSG were one of the only clubs that could afford the Argentinian’s wages.
Messi duly arrived in Paris, where he was reunited with his old friend Neymar. However, he also has had to share the same dressing room with Sergio Ramos, with whom he shared a feisty rivalry during their time together in La Liga.
Nevertheless, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has achieved everything in club football. Argentina’s Copa America success this summer added another feather to his cap. The magician’s dribbling, finesse and agility have been the talk of the town since his early days at Barcelona.
It is scary even to fathom that Messi would be even more effective in a 5-a-side setup. He has all the ingredients required to flourish in a small area. One would easily imagine him sending defenders the wrong way time and again. It would be no surprise if arguably the best player of all time would strut his wares successfully in a 5-a-side field.
#5 Neymar Jr
If there’s one player who would go toe-to-toe with Lionel Messi on a smaller field, it would have to be Neymar Jr.
The PSG winger is gifted with supreme dribbling ability, and is one of the best players of the current generation. He’s the sort of player who would skip past the same player repeatedly before scoring a backheel into an open net.
The 29-year-old and Messi would be the most feared duo in 5-a-side football. That is why PSG star Kylian Mbappe has to make do with a place on the bench in this hypothetical lineup. Mbappe is a great dribbler and player in his own right, but Messi and Neymar have far greater agility.
One reason why players like Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembele and Neymar haven’t quite reached their potential is their poor injury record. Messi has somehow managed to endure an almost injury-free career. Injuries won’t be a major concern in 5-a-side football. Hence, Neymar would likely showcase his skills more prominently.
