PSG fans ‘cross the line’ in ‘sad’ relationship… as striker says Messi was treated badly too


Former Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar says he feels “disgust” with “the people who run the club and some of the supporters” after six years with the French giants in a move that has become the costliest transfer in history.

The 32-year-old, who scored 118 goals and 70 assists in 173 games before joining Saudi club Al-Hilal for around £71.2 million in August 2023, was targeted by a group of PSG fans at his home in April 2023. He made his final appearance for the club in February before missing 15 games following ankle surgery.

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

“The last two-three years have not been the same. The way I was treated was unbelievable, (and) the same for Lionel Messi.

Neymar: ‘Injustice’ at PSG

Barca all-time top scorer Messi followed Neymar to PSG in August 2021 in a shock exit from his boyhood club after they could not meet LaLiga’s financial rules to keep him.

The move reunited 2018 World Cup winner and PSG all-time top scorer Kylian Mbappe, giving the French giants one of the most formidable attacking trio in world football.

Neymar and Mbappe helped PSG reach the Champions League final in 2019/20, but that is the only occasion the 12-time French champions have progressed beyond the semi-finals, and Messi was eliminated at the round of 16 stage during Messi’s two seasons. was widely seen as an underachievement at the club.

“For me, there was injustice, because I always gave my all on the pitch,” said Neymar, who missed 136 matches for PSG and Brazil during his time in Ligue 1.

“I have no grudge, but I was a little saddened by the way I was treated by supporters, especially when they came to my house, when they wanted to invade my house, insult me ​​or beat me up. wanted

“To me, they crossed the line. Our relationship was no longer respectful, while I always respected him… It was a really complicated situation.

‘Great’ and ‘Sad’ moments

“I was sad about the way I was treated at the end, but it’s over,” Neymar added. “I respect PSG as a club and I will always support them (and hope that they) produce the best results.

“I have no grudge against the club, I have a bit of grudge against the people who run the club and some of the supporters. But that’s in the past.

“It’s the club where I’ve spent the longest six years in my career. I had some great moments, but also some sad moments. And my relationship with the supporters is unfortunately part of the sad moments.

“But on a sporting level, it was the best football I ever played. So I’m happy and I have a clear conscience about that… 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 involved. Nine-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023, while Mbappe joined Real Madrid after the 25-year-old’s contract expired at the end of last season.

“(Parts of my time) were bad, because I was injured for a long time and often… I didn’t finish a season,” Neymar reflected. “It was very sad for me, because I often had very serious injuries that could last three, four to six months.

“It bothers me a lot, but in terms of football, in terms of the game, he was the best Neymar in my whole career.

“I will never forget my good times, especially the Champions League final. Those were truly incredible moments. We could have won (1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich), but finals are decided by details.

“It was a really great year, when I look back on it. I will never forget those moments – they are etched in my heart.

“Playing in Ligue 1 was a really good experience, the fans were great with me. I wrote my story in League 1, it was good for my career. I am proud and happy to be a part of it.”

Neymar wants to return to Brazil

Brazil’s all-time record scorer now wants to play at the 2026 World Cup, having been injury-free in more than 13 months of international action.

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

In the short term, his comeback plans were thwarted by another brief injury after his return 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 being pulled off.

Although Neymar described the injury as “hopefully nothing major”, he has yet to add to his seven games for the club that paid a fee of more than £71m for him.

“I’m really happy here,” he said of the Riyadh club. “All the players who want to come here are surprised by the level of this championship or even some very positive aspects.

“Absolutely – yes, yes, I will be back (for Brazil). I am preparing for it and I am also excited. I should have been called up (for the World Cup qualifiers in November), but after talking to the coach (Dorival Jr.) He did not make a decision.

“Next time, I will definitely be with my teammates – I am preparing for it in any case. There is nothing better than representing your country.

“We hope the team will improve. It is evolving. We must not forget that the team is young, we have potential and we have to use it as quickly as possible so that we can be a great team.

Al Hilal ‘priority’ for Neymar

Brazil’s next World Cup qualification games are in March and Dorival Jnr has no shortage of attacking options with the likes of Real Madrid trio Vinicius Jnr, Rodrigo and Andrique and Barcelona’s Rafinha.

There is speculation in Saudi Arabia that Al-Hilal will not re-sign Neymar for the second half of their top-flight season.

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

“First of all, I want to have a good season with Al-Hilal,” Neymar said. “I am coming back from a very serious injury. I still have some time to come back to my level and show why I am here.

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

“The World Cup is a goal for all players. I have already played three World Cups; I want to do a fourth. I have to focus on that, prepare well here and here, after getting back in shape at my club, this medium -The term is objective.

“I am now ready to quickly get back on the field this season with my club and the Selecao.”

Al-Hilal advance to the King’s Cup quarter-finals against Al-Ittihad at the Kingdom Arena on January 7 (6.30pm GMT).





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