Neymar’s absence against Manchester United is going to a problem for Paris Saint-Germain, according to goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
The star attacker went down in January against Strasbourg, suffering a broken foot – the same injury which sidelined him for most of the second half of last season.
His return date remains a question, but he will not feature for the Ligue 1 champions against the Red Devils when the sides face off in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16
Neymar will not be alone in his absence, as Edinson Cavani will also miss out after suffering a muscle injury Saturday while Marco Verratti may also be absent.
But the Brazilian’s injury is something Buffon has singled out as an issue for the capital club as they look
"I think this is a problem for us," Buffon told CNN.
"I'm not sure if it's a big problem or a little one. I hope it's only a small problem and that we are nevertheless a team that can thrive without him. It would give us great strength and confidence.
"But I must say that without a player of Ney's
However, Buffon is hoping the team can rally and get past this hurdle in order to make it to the Champions League quarter-finals – something they were unable to do without Neymar in the second leg against Real Madrid last season.
The goalkeeper thinks it would be a gift to the star man to make it to the next round of the
"But nevertheless we have to do our best in order not to have any regrets and play the quarter-finals and semi-finals with Ney back.
"This would be the best present we could give to him, and I'm sure he would return the favour by playing in those two matches."