It was not his final. The phenomenon, which had been almost supernatural in recent matches, has become human again, almost common. Neymar has not added a new Champions League to his record following his 2015 victory with Barcelona. His history with PSG remains to be written.
Like his team, he began by observing this somewhat clumsy Bayern, contenting himself with permanent pressing. Then it comes out of its box. One action was enough, however. As in the previous rounds, the Brazilian genius summons his talent. He is here in Lisbon to win this coveted trophy for which it was bought at a gold price in the summer of 2017. A magnificent call. A pass from Mbappé and the former Barcelona sinks, takes speed the defense of Munich and the left, tries to deceive Neuer (18th). Between the legs. The goal seems unstoppable but a hand of the goalkeeper drags and deflects the ball. Postponed.
As against Atalanta Bergamo in the quarter (2-1) or Leipzig in the semi-final (3-0), Neymar did not convert the occasion. But he is in canes. So good physically that he offers himself a raid before serving Di Maria (23rd), then a slalom over more than thirty meters (42nd). With no other result than to send a thrill through the ranks of Munich. And that's already a lot.
At the service of the team, anyway
The rest of the first half? He spends it running, running, and running again. His pressing in a triangle in the German defense, all alone, sprinting from one defender to another relentlessly, seems almost exaggerated (43rd). It shows in any case that the Parisian player has changed. Here he is at the service of his team, ready to sacrifice his personal case. Unheard of the first two seasons when his arabesques had ended up collapsing on the soles of defenders a little too zealous. Two injuries had deprived him of finishing his adventure in the Champions League. And PSG had not gone beyond the knockout stages. His torments afterwards, his difficulties in finding his place, his hesitations about his future had flourished in the gazettes.
How long ago that time seemed! “Winning the Champions League with PSG would be history, and that's exactly what I came here to do,” trumpeted the No. 10 this week in an interview with the British daily Daily Star. No need to hide your ambition. She is now visible and appears even in her smiles after victories.
The player spins around, has fun, the man calms down and feels good in his Parisian universe. On the ground, he makes the difference, but the opponents toughen things up. He finds himself on the ground (50th, 52nd), adding a little even if the faults are real. Then he goes out, like his. More sound, more image. Bayern confiscates the ball. Kingsley Coman scores with a header (59th). Neymar makes a face. He does not manage to influence the meeting. His curled shot from the right lacks a bit of conviction and goes over the crossbar of Neuer (73rd), then he misses a control. The final eludes him, it escapes.