Neymar's saga playing out like a French soap opera

PARIS - Neymar's dramatic first season at Paris Saint-Germain since his world-record move from Barcelona last August took another twist this week, with a fractured metatarsal set to rule him out of the Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

His father said on Tuesday that Neymar faces "at least six weeks" of recuperation and will miss next week's return leg of the Champions League last-16 tie against Real.

"PSG knows they will not be able to count on Neymar for the upcoming matches; his treatment will last six to eight weeks, whether there is an operation or not," Neymar senior told ESPN Brasil.

The 26-year-old arrived in the French capital amid much fanfare with hopes of becoming the best player on the planet, but among his goals and strong performances have come tears in a media conference, 'penaltygate', a red card against Marseille and now a cracked bone in his foot.

Episode 1: $264 million

Neymar's PSG soap opera followed an offseason transfer saga that was almost a mini-drama series in its own right.

After plentiful rumors and bluffs from both PSG and Barca, the Brazilian star eventually signed for the French team on Aug 3. His contract eclipsed the previous transfer fee record by more than $60 million.

Episode 2: Goalfests

After a debut goal at Guingamp, Neymar showed off the full range of his skills in a 6-2 thrashing of Toulouse at Parc des Princes. He scored twice, set up another goal and won a penalty to immediately endear himself further to the home fans.

Goals followed in the Champions League wins over Celtic and Bayern Munich, before another double in a 6-2 thumping of Bordeaux continued his excellent start in the French top flight.

Episode 3: 'Penaltygate'

It didn't take long for controversy to rear its head, after Neymar tried to take the ball away from strike partner Edinson Cavani before the Uruguayan took, and missed, a penalty against Lyon in September. What should have been a trivial matter was blown out of proportion, with Neymar also claiming he was the designated shooter.

Episode 4: Red mist

The following month, Neymar combusted in a dramatic 2-2 draw at PSG's archrivals Marseille.

He was sent off for a second yellow card after clashing with Lucas Ocampos, with only a late Cavani freekick rescuing a point. PSG fans questioned whether Neymar understood the importance of the great rivalry with OM.

Episode 5: Tearing up

Rumors of tension with Cavani and PSG coach Unai Emery all became too much for the Brazil captain after an international friendly against Japan in Lille, with Neymar giving a tearful media conference.

"I'm here to ask you to stop creating stories that didn't happen," he begged the French media. "Everything is going well in Paris, I'm very happy here."

Episode 6: Injury woes

After Neymar failed to prevent PSG from falling to a 3-1 loss in their Champions League last-16 first leg at Real Madrid, he injured himself late in Sunday's 3-0 win over Marseille and was stretchered off in anguish, before PSG confirmed he had sprained his right ankle and fractured a metatarsal.

The injury leaves his hopes of facing Real in the return match on March 6 all but over.

Agence France - presse