Ronaldo presents Neymar with Ligue 1 Player of the Year award

Brazil legend Ronaldo was on hand to present his countryman Neymar with the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award on Sunday night.

The world record signing, who has not played since cracking a metatarsal in his right foot against Marseille on February 25, sported a black and gold jacket as attended the annual awards ceremony and was in familiar company. 

World Cup winner Ronaldo was present to award his countryman the coveted trophy as he pipped team-mates Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe to the prize. Marseille’s Florian Thauvin finished fourth.

Neymar arrived at Paris Saint-Germain with huge expectation on his shoulders but managed to help the French giants regain the Ligue 1 title in his first season.

‘I would like to thank all of my team-mates,’ Neymar said on beIN Sports television. ‘I’m honoured and very happy with our season. I couldn’t have won this trophy without my teammates.’

The 26-year-old claimed the award despite having played on 20 league matches – where managed 19 goals – since suffering the injury to his foot.

He had surgery in Brazil in March and has resumed light training and ball work as he bids to be ready for the World Cup, which starts next month in Russia. 

Failure to take PSG further in the Champions League saw yet more questions arise and has resulted in the departure of coach Unai Emery despite winning Coach of the Year after guiding PSG to a domestic treble.

However, after just one season in the French capital, Neymar could too be on his way out of the Parc des Princes, with speculation continuing to grow around his future.

Reports have suggested Real Madrid and Manchester United would be keen to offer the Brazilian a route out of the often dull French league. However, the sheer depth of their pockets will be put to the test, with PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi set on keeping Neymar in Paris for another season.