Victory-Vault
PSG fans 'crossed the line' in 'sad' relationship… striker Messi has also been abused, he claims.
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December 17, 2024
Sports

Former Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar says he feels "resentment" against "the people who run the club and some of the fans" during his six years with the French giants, which has been the most expensive transfer in history.

In the year The 32-year-old, who scored 118 goals and provided 70 assists in 173 games before joining Saudi club Al Hilal for Β£71.2 million in August 2023, was targeted by PSG supporters in April 2023. He last played for the club in February before missing 15 games following ankle surgery.

"The first year was fantastic - I was very well received by the French people and fans," Neymar said. RMCSpeaking about his Β£200m move from Barcelona in August 2017.

β€œThe last two or three years have not been the same. The way I was treated was not surprising,[and]the same for Lionel Messi.

Neymar: 'Injustice' at PSG

Barcelona's all-time top scorer Messi followed Neymar to PSG in August 2021 after a shock exit from his boyhood club after they failed to meet La Liga's financial rules to keep him.

The move reunites the pair with 2018 World Cup winner and PSG's all-time top scorer Kylian Mbappe, giving the French giants one of the most feared attacking trio in world football.

Neymar and Mbappe helped PSG reach the 2019/20 Champions League final, but that was the only occasion the 12-time French champions went beyond the semi-finals and lost in the round of 16 in Messi's two seasons. It was widely regarded as a success at the club.

"It was unfair for me, because I always gave everything on the pitch," said Neymar, who missed 136 games for PSG and Brazil during his Ligue 1 career.

β€œI'm not offended at all, but I'm a bit sad about what the fans are doing to me, especially when they come to my house, try to storm my house, insult me ​​or hit me.

β€œTo me, they crossed the line. Our relationship lost respect, I always respected them... It was a really complicated situation.

'Great' and 'Sad' times

Neymar added: "I'm disappointed with the way I was treated at the end, but it's over." I respect PSG as a club and will always support them (and hope they do well).

β€œI have no grudge against the club, I have a bit of a grudge against the people who run the club and some of the fans. But that's in the past.

"It is the club where I have spent most of my career. Six years. I had some good times, but also some sad times. And my relationship with the fans is part of the sad moment.

But it was the best football I've ever played at a sporting level. 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 Cup alongside Neymar. Nine-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023, while Mbappe joined Real Madrid after his 25-year-old contract expired last season.

"Parts (of my time there) were bad, because I was injured for a long time and often... I didn't finish a season," Neymar said. "It was very sad for me, because I usually had serious injuries that lasted three, four to six months.

"It worried me a lot, but in football, in sports, he was the best Neymar I've had in my whole life.

"I will never forget the good times I had, especially the Champions League final. They were truly wonderful times. We could have won (1-0 loss to Bayern Munich), but the final will be decided in the details.

Looking back, it was a really great year. I will never forget those moments - they are engraved in my heart.

β€œPlaying in Ligue 1 was a really good experience, the fans were good to me. I wrote my story in Ligue 1 and it was good for my career. I am proud and happy to be a part of that.

Neymar wants to return to Brazil

Brazil's all-time record goalscorer now wants to play at the 2026 World Cup despite being out of international action for more than 13 months through injury.

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

After returning to Al-Hilal in a short period of time, his comeback plan was derailed by injuries.

Neymar came on 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.

Although Neymar described the injury as "hopeless", he should add to the seven games for the club that paid him more than Β£71m.

"I'm very happy here," he said of the Riyadh club. "All the players who want to come here will be surprised by the level of this championship or some very positive aspects.

"Absolutely - yes, yes, I'll be back (for Brazil). I am preparing for it and I am happy. I should have been called up (for the World Cup Qualifiers in November) but after talking to the coach (Dorival Jr.), he didn't want to.

"Next time I will definitely be with my teammates - I am ready for any situation. There is nothing better than representing your country."

β€œHopefully the team will improve. It's getting better. We must not forget that the team is young, we have potential and we must use it to become a good team as soon as possible.

Al Hilal 'priority' for Neymar

Brazil's next World Cup qualifiers are in March and Dorival Jr will not be short of attacking options, with the likes of Real Madrid's trio of Vinicius Jr, Rodrigo and Andrique and Barcelona's Rafinha calling on him.

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

The defending champions and current title contenders did not call him into their squad for the first half of the season due to injury, but he has been cleared to play in international competitions.

"First of all, I want to have a good season with Al-Hilal," Neymar said. β€œI am coming back from a very serious injury. I still have some time to get back on track and show why I'm here.

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

β€œThe World Cup is the goal of all players. I have already played in three World Cups; I want to do fourth. I have to focus on that, prepare well here and after I get back in shape this medium-term objective at my club.

Now I'm ready to get back on the field with my club and the Selecao as soon as possible this season.

Al-Hilal are next up in the King's Cup quarter-finals against Al-Ittihad at the Kingdom Arena on January 7 (6.30pm GMT).



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