Gonçalo Ramos' first season at PSG was a test, albeit perhaps not exactly what he expected. The Portuguese forward was appointed in the summer of 2023 alongside Randal Kolo Muani and Marco Asensio. The trio would compete for just one spot in Luis Enrique's lineup. Kylian Mbappé also played centrally for much of the season Les Parisiens and so competition for playing time was fierce. Establishing himself as the first choice seemed to be the test of character that awaited Ramos at the Parc des Princes, but instead it was less a matter of outperforming his teammates, and more a matter of fighting for fitness.
His attempts to impose himself at his new club were first hampered in December 2023 when he developed an intestinal infection, the after-effects of which were felt for weeks. “I had a complicated month of December. I first got a virus that then turned into an intestinal infection. “I had to bleed and vomit for twenty days, without being able to eat, and with a very high fever,” he told Record in March.
The striker explained: “I had to go to hospital four or five times and was given an IV. I lost eight kilos, and during my first season in France it didn't help. I had to regain weight halfway through the season and do a preseason in January, which wasn't easy.”
Despite this, Ramos still scored eight goals in Ligue 1 in the second half of last season as PSG retained their Ligue 1 title. His contribution was ultimately inconclusive, with Les Parisiens winning the league at a canter, but it did provide optimism for his second season.
With Mbappe gone and Kolo Muani struggling to gain Luis Enrique's trust, the number 9 role was Ramos's for the taking. That became clear when he started in PSG's Ligue 1 opener against Le Havre in August, but once again his body failed him. This time it was an ankle injury, sustained in the opening 20 minutes of the season, requiring surgery, that hampered his so far faltering career at PSG. After returning at the end of November, he will now hope to stay fit and contribute to his side's success in the second half of the season. Luis Enrique's reluctance to buy another number 9 will certainly give him the opportunity to do so.
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