Neymar's first goal of the season came in a 2-2 draw with Bordeaux on Saturday, and the Brazilian's first goal of the season came in a 2-0 win over Lille. The Brazilian was yet to score in open play in Ligue 1 Uber Eats this season, but the PSG number ten turned things right around with a double. And what a pair of goals! Now with three goals and three assists in eight Ligue 1 Uber Eats appearances this season, Neymar is starting to gain momentum. The Brazilian was extremely effective at the Matmut Atlantique, delivering his best performance for PSG in some time.

Omnipresent in Bordeaux

Just a few weeks ago, Neymar was still struggling for form, his only goal having come from the penalty spot against OL in September. In the absence of an injured Lionel Messi (knee and thigh), Neymar started Saturday's match on the left of a front three that also featured Julian Draxler and Kylian Mbappé. The France international's performance had a big impact on Neymar's, as it was he who was at the origin of Neymar's first and his sublime first-time back-heel that teed up the Brazilian's second. Mbappé of course went on to score what proved the winner. Neymar was still active after the break, inspired in driving Paris' attacking play, and was not far from a hat-trick with a long-range run and a left-footed attempt. In addition to four successful dribbles, a match-high four of his passes enabled his teammates to shoot at Bordeaux's goal.

Back on track

The Brazilian thus confirmed his return to form. The double - his second against Les Girondins after the one he bagged in September 2017 - was all about his talent and his technical finesse in front of goal, which looks to be back after having eluded him in the early season (1.9 shots per game on average). He was already more in line with his standards against reigning Ligue 1 Uber Eats champions LOSC and then against Leipzig in the Champions League, and proved inspired in attack and involved defensively against Bordeaux... much more so than he was when PSG travelled to Marseille at the end of October (0-0). Despite everything, Neymar remains the the player who draws the most fouls in the final third of the pitch in Ligue 1 Uber Eats (13) and he is also the league's most ambitious dribbler, attempting the most (7.9 per game) - and pulling off the most (3.8) - in France's top flight.

'Indifferent' to criticism

"Neymar has given the best answer on the pitch", said sporting director Leonardo, who came to defend his player and his club in front of the media after the match against LOSC. "The criticism of Neymar is unfair. He is a very experienced player, with a very high work rate. If he were always partying, he wouldn't be able to run like that for 90 minutes."

As for the man himself, it seems a certain imperviousness has been developed over his years int he spotlight.

"Criticism is normal. I've been playing football for fifteen years and I don't care," said the man of the moment. "I do what I can for my team on the pitch."