In a match where the spotlight was on the scorers, dribblers, and final-touch artists, João Neves shone. PSG’s young Portuguese midfielder scored a sumptuous double, giving his team a 3-1 win in an intense and highly competitive match. Yet it was what he did after the final whistle that really stood out.

When it came to officially awarding the Man of the Match award, Neves surprised everyone. In front of the cameras, officials and his teammates, he refused to hold the award , before publicly addressing the team:

“This trophy doesn’t belong to me. I scored two goals, yes, but if we were able to dominate today, it’s thanks to him. He gave his all, he covered the entire ground, he freed us. Tonight is the real boss.”

And that “him” wasn’t Dembélé, Vittinha, or Barcola. It was Manuel Ugarte , the Uruguayan defensive midfielder who often remains discreet in the shadow of Paris’ attacking play. However, that night, he delivered one of the most complete performances of his career .

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15 balls recovered, 94% of passes completed, 3 aerial duels won: a defensive masterclass

While statistics can sometimes be deceptive, Manuel Ugarte’s tonight were simply exceptional. Positioned in front of the defense, he silenced the opposing playmaker, cut off transitions, and deactivated the counters before they even started.

“It was everywhere, like a ghost. As soon as we got up to move forward, it was already there,” the opposing striker said after the meeting.

The newspaper L’Équipe did not hesitate: 9.5/10 , an extremely rare rating, awarded to a player whose name is all too often in the headlines. However, tonight, it was he who held the hut .

In the locker room, a little unanimous respect

João Neves’s move was applauded by the entire Paris dressing room. Dembélé also spoke to applaud his teammate’s gesture:

“What João did was classy. But what Ugarte did on the pitch was monstrous.”

Even Luis Enrique, who is also sparing with individual compliments, briefly broke his usual silence:

“Ugarte is a warrior. Tonight, he was our captain without an armband.”

A strong message… and a warning to its competitors?

Since arriving in Paris, Ugarte has had his ups and downs, often replaced on the bench by more offensive or “glamorous” players. But this performance could change that. With João Neves at his best and Ugarte finding his stride, the PSG midfielder looks set to dominate Europe .

On social media, the scene of the returned trophy went viral.

“It’s team spirit. This is the PSG we want to see,” said one fan.
“Ugarte is the player you don’t see, but without him, you lose,” wrote another.

A match, a gesture and perhaps a turning point

Tonight, Paris didn’t just win a match. It won a new collective dynamic, one of respect, recognition, and solidarity. João Neves, abandoning his moment of glory, demonstrated a silent warrior. And Manuel Ugarte, responding on the pitch with an extraordinary performance, reminded all of Europe that he will be needed this season.

One victory, two heroes. And a PSG stronger than ever.