PSG fall in Europe: What does this mean for Neymar and Mbappe?

With Paris Saint-Germain falling short in Europe once again, it's time to reflect on where they go as a club from here and what this means for the side's two poster stars: Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

PSG sent shockwaves around Europe when they thrashed Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 and then followed that up by edging past reigning champions Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.

It looked like the Parisians were well placed to go one step further than last year and win the tournament, but instead of reaching back-to-back finals they came undone against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

PSG were not only knocked out but they were well beaten in both legs by the English side, and many observers criticised their performances, expecting more from an outfit of such talent and resources.

This year will not be PSG's and as they look to the future there are some big decisions to be made, not least of all concerning arguably their two biggest players.

Both Neymar and Mbappe have contracts which expire in the summer of 2022 and concluding renewals for the pair has been a top priority for the French club in recent months.

After this latest setback, however, there may be some doubts creeping in on all sides.

These days, the number one aim for any elite player or club in Europe is to win the Champions League, and there's no doubt that the money PSG spent on Neymar and Mbappe - a combined total of more than 365 million euros - was done so with that goal in mind.

The players, too, will have been drawn to Paris by a financially powerful project offering a platform to such success.

Champions League disappointment

In the first year that both lined up together, they fell at the hands of Real Madrid in the last 16 before tripping at the same hurdle against Manchester United one year later, but they bounced back in the 2019/20 campaign by reaching the final, where Bayern's class proved too much.

After a semi-final exit in year four of the Neymar-Mbappe show, all parties have now reached a key moment of introspection where they need to decide whether to stick or twist.

On the one hand, after reaching at least the semi-finals in back-to-back years, it could be argued that PSG are on the right track and have established themselves as one of the leading forces on the continent.

With the right management and a bit of luck - always a factor in knockout competition - their time might well come in the next few years if they run it back with the same core.

On the other hand, Neymar and Mbappe might feel that this is as far as PSG can take them and they may look to move on, which, if they both decided to do so, would cause an earthquake in the summer transfer market.

With both players' contracts expiring in summer 2022, if they appear unwilling to sign new terms, PSG would surely look to sell this summer rather than risk losing either as a free agent.

It is worth considering, though, that the club may also be pondering their best move, as following three years of Neymar and Mbappe co-starring, they might decide the time is right to cash in on one of them and rebuild.

Which player could PSG afford to lose?

In the past there have been question marks over whether Mbappe could truly shine in a team where Neymar is always going to be the number one player, but as the Frenchman is younger and arguably has a higher ceiling, PSG may decide to let Mbappe become the main man and move Neymar on.

On the other hand, Mbappe's stock has probably never been higher and, if he is going to be tempted away at some point in the coming years, PSG may choose to sell now and reinvest the money in a new supporting cast for Neymar.

At 29 years old, betting on Neymar delivering them the much-craved Champions League would give them a shorter window in which to succeed, but Mbappe being younger doesn't necessarily mean he would be more patient.

The idea of PSG having to sell and replace both players, the iconic images of their brand, in the one summer is almost unthinkable and yet remains a possibility.

Barcelona are known to be keeping tabs on Neymar and the Brazilian dreams of a reunion with close friend Lionel Messi.

Mbappe, meanwhile, is probably the hottest property in world football, with Real Madrid particularly keen on him.

All three - PSG, Neymar and Mbappe - have a big decision to make in the coming weeks about their best route to a Champions League title: should they stick or twist?