Tears of Neymar Jr. at the end of the match will be one of the images of the 2019/20 Champions League final. The Brazilian led PSG to their first ever Champions League final, but couldn't taste European glory again and had to bow down to Bayern Munich, who won with a goal from a player who came through the Parisian academy, Kingsley Coman.
Neymar had the first great opportunity for the French team at the 18th minute, but his low shot hit the left leg of a huge Manuel Neuer. Perhaps if he hadn't met the German goalkeeper, the fate of the match would have been different. Just like Kylian Mbappe, who took advantage of another clear opportunity at the edge of halftime.
The Brazilian hadn't scored in the previous matches of this Champions League final phase, but he had been decisive in reaching the decisive match. He didn't hide at La Luz. Not at all. He tried, maybe too far back. But without shine, without success.
Neymar had a true love affair with finals since his time in Brazil with Santos, with those cups in his country ten years ago, or the Copa Libertadores. In his time at Barcelona, he also enjoyed glory in the 2015 Champions League, precisely in Germany, in Berlin, and even in the Copa del Rey, which he won three times, or the Spanish and continental Supercups, and with PSG he already has two cups, one League Cup and two French Supercups.
Four years ago, he achieved Olympic glory at Maracanã. Against Serge Gnabry and Nicklas Sule's Germany, who took revenge today, he was the protagonist in Brazil's first gold at the Olympics. In front of an excited stadium and fans. Neymar reigned, as he did in the same scenario in the Confederations Cup in 2013 or in the Club World Cup with Barcelona.
This time, he couldn't secure his second continental crown and make true history for the Parisian billionaire project. Bayern started as favorites and fulfilled their condition. But Neymar knew that the final could have been in that early opportunity that Neuer saved. That's why he couldn't find comfort.