Neymar's double diagnosis deals PSG massive blow

PARIS - Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar sustained a sprained ankle and a fractured metatarsal when he was stretchered off in Sunday's win over Marseille, the Ligue 1 leader announced on Monday.

The Brazilian, who signed for PSG in a world-record $264 million move from Barcelona last year, is now doubtful for the Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid at Parc des Princes on March 6.

PSG trails in the tie after a 3-1 first-leg loss in Spain, with its hopes of a maiden Champions League title taking a further serious blow with the confirmation of Neymar's injury.

"Additional examinations performed today (ultrasound and CT) confirmed an external sprain of the right ankle, but also an associated fissure of the fifth metatarsal," PSG said in a statement.

The news means Neymar is all but certain to miss Wednesday's French Cup quarterfinal against Marseille, the weekend Ligue 1 trip to Troyes and the Real clash three days later.

The club, which leads the French top flight by a massive 14 points, also said that centerback Marquinhos had picked up a leg muscle injury.

The 26-year-old Neymar was stretchered off in anguish towards the end of PSG's 3-0 victory over its great rival in the capital, having innocuously rolled his right ankle and flopped to the ground in pain.

With the game already as good as over, Paris fans held their breath as he was treated and then carried away, with PSG forced to finish the match with 10 men having made all of its substitutions.

Neymar himself posted a picture on Instagram of his heavily bandaged ankle and foot, accompanied by the caption:"08:10. Finished for today."

French newspaper Le Parisien had earlier reported that tests on Monday morning had ruled out a "fracture or a serious sprain".

But the club later confirmed its fans' worst fears, with the return game against reigning European champion Real just eight days away.

Despite the injury potentially benefiting Madrid, the Spanish side's coach Zinedine Zidane said he hoped Neymar would recover in time to play.

"I'm not happy with the Neymar injury and I hope he can be back for the game. I will never want a rival player to be out injured," Zidane said at a media conference in the Spanish capital earlier on Monday.

PSG has never managed to reach the Champions League final. It lost at the last-16 stage last season after a humiliating 6-1 second-leg thrashing by a Neymar-inspired Barcelona, after winning the first game 4-0.

Agence France-presse