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PSG fans “crossed the line” in a “sad” relationship… as the player says Messi was also abused


Former Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar says he is “angry” with “the people in charge of the club and the supporters” since his six-year spell with the French giants was the most expensive in history.

The 32-year-old, who scored 118 goals and 70 assists in 173 games before joining the Saudi club Al-Hilal for around $71.2 million in August 2023, was watched by a group of PSG fans at his home in April 2023, after making last appearance for the team in February before missing 15 games after undergoing ankle surgery.

“The first year was very good – I was well received by the French people and the supporters,” Neymar said. Price RMCtalking about his Β£200m switch from Barcelona in August 2017.

“The last two or three years were not the same. It was not surprising how I was treated, (and) it was the same for Lionel Messi.”

Neymar: ‘Injustice’ at PSG

Barca superstar Messi followed Neymar to PSG in August 2021 after a shock exit from his boyhood club as they could not meet LaLiga’s financial requirements to keep him.

The move reunited the duo with 2018 World Cup winner and PSG’s all-time leading scorer Kylian Mbappe, giving the French giants a formidable international threat.

Neymar and Mbappe helped PSG reach the Champions League final in 2019/2020, but it remains the only time the 12-man French champions have made it past the semi-finals, with their last 16 exit in Messi’s two seasons. at the club it was widely regarded as a failure.

“For me, there was an injustice, because I always give myself on the pitch,” said Neymar, who missed 136 games for PSG and Brazil during his time in Ligue 1.

“I have nothing to be angry about, but I felt a little sorry for the way they treated me and my followers, especially when they come to my house, try to take my house, insult me ​​or beat me.

“For me, they crossed the line. Our relationship was no longer respectful, while I always respected them… It was really difficult. “

‘Great’ and ‘sad’ moments

“I was sad with the way they treated me in the end, but it passed,” added Neymar. “I respect PSG as a club and I always support them (hope) they get good results.

“I’m not mad at the club, I’m just a bit mad at the people who manage the club and some of the supporters. But that’s in the past.

“It is the club where I spent the longest time in my career, six years. I had good moments, and some sad moments. And my relationship with the assistants is part of the sad times, unfortunately.

“But in terms of the game, it was the best football I’ve ever played. So I’m happy and I have a clear conscience about it … football-wise, I think I was at the peak of my career. “

Neymar, Messi and Mbappe

The 2020/21 season was the only campaign in which PSG failed to win the French title with Neymar. Six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023, while Mbappe joined Real Madrid after his 25-year contract expired at the end of last season.

“(Sometimes my time was) bad, because I was injured for a long time and many times… I didn’t finish the season,” Neymar said. “It was very sad for me, because I usually have serious injuries that last three, four to six months.

“It bothered me a lot, but in terms of football, in terms of sports, he was the best Neymar I’ve had in my whole life.

“I will never forget the good moments I had, especially the Champions League final. It was an unbelievable moment. We could have won (in the 1-0 defeat by Bayern Munich), but the final is considered in detail.

β€œA very good year in retrospect. I will never forget those moments – they are written in my heart.

“Playing in Ligue 1 was fun, the fans were good to me. I wrote my story in Ligue 1, it was good for my career. I am proud and happy to be part of this team.”

Neymar wants Brazil back

Brazil’s top scorer is now aiming to play at the 2026 World Cup despite more than 13 months out of action with injuries.

Neymar broke Pele’s record by scoring 78 of his 79 international goals in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in September 2023 but tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Uruguay the following month.

In the short term, his comeback plans were derailed by the second injury he suffered after returning to Al-Hilal.

Neymar was introduced as a second-half substitute in the Saudi Pro League side’s 3-0 win over Iranian rivals Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League Elite last month but lasted less than 30 minutes before coming off.

Although Neymar described the injury as “hopefully nothing too much”, he did not extend his seven-game spell at the club who paid Β£71m for him.

“I am very happy here,” he said of the Riyadh club. “All the players who want to come here are surprised by the amount or the quality of the tournament.

“Of course – yes, yes, I will return (to Brazil). I am preparing and I am happy. I would have been invited (to the World Cup trials in November), but after talking to the coach (Dorival Junior), he did not decide.

“At some point, I’ll be with my friends – I’m planning, anyway. There’s nothing better than representing your country.

“We believe that the team will do well. It’s working. Let’s not forget that this team is young, we have potential and we need to use it quickly to become a great team. “

Al Hilal ‘first’ for Neymar

Brazil’s next World Cup qualifiers are in March and Dorival Junior is not short of attacking options, with Real Madrid trio Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Endrick and Barcelona’s Raphinha to call upon.

There has been speculation in Saudi Arabia that Al-Hilal will not sign Neymar again for the second half of their high-flying season.

The reigning champions and current contenders did not name him in their squad for the first half of the campaign due to injury, but he is allowed to play in the international tournament.

“First, I want to have a good season with Al-Hilal,” Neymar said. “I am coming back from a serious injury. I still have a little time to get back on my feet and show why I am here.

“My first priority is: to recover well, get fit and just play again. I want to play in the 2025 Club World Cup (in the US in June and July) with Al-Hilal, because it is very important for the club.

“The World Cup is the goal of all players. I have already played in three World Cups; I want to do a fourth. I have to focus on this, prepare well here and have a medium-term goal when I am well here, at my club.

“Now I am ready to get back on the field as soon as possible this season with my team and the Selecao.”

Al-Hilal are close to their King Cup quarter-final against Al-Ittihad at the Kingdom Arena on January 7 (6.30pm GMT).





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