• Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar lies injured on the pitch during his team's French Cup win over over Caen on February 10. Reuters
    Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar lies injured on the pitch during his team's French Cup win over over Caen on February 10. Reuters
  • Caen's Steeve Yago challenges Neymar during the French Cup tie. Reuters
    Caen's Steeve Yago challenges Neymar during the French Cup tie. Reuters
  • SSG's Neymar heads off the pitch after being injured. Reuters
    SSG's Neymar heads off the pitch after being injured. Reuters
  • Neymar is replaced by Kyllian Mbappe after picking up an injury. EPA
    Neymar is replaced by Kyllian Mbappe after picking up an injury. EPA
  • Neymar is replaced by Kyllian Mbappe after picking up an injury. EPA
    Neymar is replaced by Kyllian Mbappe after picking up an injury. EPA
  • PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino and Neymar. Reuters
    PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino and Neymar. Reuters
  • Neymar argues with Caen's Steeve Yago. Reuters
    Neymar argues with Caen's Steeve Yago. Reuters
  • Neymar argues with Caen's Steeve Yago. Reuters
    Neymar argues with Caen's Steeve Yago. Reuters
  • Neymaris picked up off the floor during the match against Caen. AFP
    Neymaris picked up off the floor during the match against Caen. AFP
  • Neymar could now miss both Champions League matches against former club Barcelona. Reuters
    Neymar could now miss both Champions League matches against former club Barcelona. Reuters
  • Neymar during the match at Caen. Reuters
    Neymar during the match at Caen. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar ruled out of Champions League match against his former club Barcelona


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Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar has been ruled out of next week's Champions League match against his former club Barcelona due to a groin injury.

The Brazilian walked off the pitch without waiting to be substituted after being on the receiving end of a series of fouls during his team's 1-0 French Cup win at second-tier Caen on Wednesday.

Neymar, captaining PSG with Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe absent, was fouled twice in the space of three minutes.

He was visibly upset after the second foul, by Steeve Yago, exchanging words with the Caen player.

As the game resumed, Neymar continued to complain before walking down the tunnel to the dressing room in the 57th minute. The world's most expensive player was replaced three minutes later by Kylian Mbappe.

PSG are taking on the Catalan giants at Camp Nou in the Champions League last-16, first-leg next Tuesday and Neymar could also miss the return match in Paris on March 10.

They also waiting on winger Angel Di Maria, who could also miss next week's trip to Spain after hurting his thigh playing against Marseille on Sunday.

After the win against Caen, manager Mauricio Pochettino said of Neymar's injury. "He has pain in his thigh, we will see tomorrow if it's an injury or not. We will see tomorrow after the scans.

"I don't want to talk about the opponents' way of playing. But during the match, there is a feeling of having little protection. But it's not only in this match."

Pochettino defended his decision to name a strong starting XI which included Neymar despite the forward only featuring as a substitute against Marseille on Sunday due to a stomach problem.

"Every game is important. I believe that PSG must win every game," said the Argentinian, who took over from the sacked Thomas Tuchel last month.

"If we had lost, you would have criticised me for not having given importance to the French Cup. We make the decisions, we analyse, we try to find the best team."

The holders did enough to win despite finishing the game without their stand-in skipper, as Moise Kean's 49th-minute goal, assisted by Neymar, proved to be the winner. PSG were never in serious trouble as they moved into the last 32.