Neymar dedicated his second goal in Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 win at Lille to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, whose death in a helicopter crash earlier on Sunday shocked the world, as his double shot the French champions 10 points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
The world’s most expensive player slotted home the 52nd-minute penalty and went over to television cameras by the side of the Stade Pierre Mauroy pitch to make the number 24 with his fingers in honour of Bryant’s shirt number.
“It’s deeply saddening for the world of sport and for all of us,” said Neymar to Canal+ after the win, which put PSG 10 points clear at the top of the league.
“Not just for basketball fans, but for everything he did for sport.”
He had already put his side ahead with a fine strike in the first half before putting the game out of reach and increasing the gap between them and second-placed Marseille.
His 12th league goal of the season tipped the balance in the Parisians’ favour after a positive start for the home side, who were unbeaten at home ahead of the match.
“We deserved to win, I think we played well,” said PSG coach Thomas Tuchel.
“We controlled the match and counter-attacks and this is not easy to do against a good team like Lille.”
Lille stay seventh after the defeat, two points away from the European places.