Champions League heartache for Neymar and Mbappe as they fail to win the ‘Big One’

Neymar and Mbappe fail to lead PSG to Champions League glory.

It was the summer of 2017 and PSG broke the bank for the acquisition of the world’s most sought assets – Neymar from Barcelona and Mbappe from AS Monaco.

The two cost the club a staggering £360million and their mission was just one – deliver the Champions League trophy to Paris.

It looked like a big call for the two as they were involved in reported fall-outs with the club and even agitated for moves away from France.

But both put that aside and concentrated on the task at hand. With Angel Di Maria playing the lead actor-supporting actor role, it was time. Or so it seemed.

The first half began brightly with the trio finding themselves with chance after chance as they sought to capitalize on the Germans’ high-line.

Again and again, they knocked on Bayern’s door. But Manuel Neuer did not open.

Instead it was Kingsley Coman who would have the last laugh. The former PSG man rose highest to meet Joshua Kimmich’s cross and score the only goal of the match.

A header by Kingsley Coman past Keylor Navas in the second half gave the Germans the win against PSG

Six years ago, Coman left Paris. His reason was the stellar recruitment project that had actually brought the duo of Neymar and Mbappe.

Coman had been at PSG’s academy since the age of eight. He was their protégé, their brightest star, the youngest player in the history of the club, making his debut at 16 years, eight months and four days.

Yet as PSG grew bigger, as money was increasingly invested in talent from outside, the teenager grew fearful of his pathway. He ran down his contract and, in 2014, left for Juventus.

At the blow of the fulltime whistle, the inevitable had happened. The two brought in to deliver the crown were crushed in anguish as Neymar sobbed uncontrollably.

The chance had been so near. Yet so far.

Communication and Media Trainer. Believer in humility and kindness. Ardent Sports Fan.

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