From 2017 to 2023, Neymar played 173 matches in the colors of PSG, scoring 118 goals and providing 70 assists. His simultaneous association with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé will have made a generation of Parisian supporters dream – in the promises more than in the actions – but the story, however, did not have the expected conclusion; and it was almost amid general indifference that the Brazilian crack left the club.
“ I decided to leave PSG and this offer to join Al-Hilal arrived… I got the offer just after I left, because I was simply no longer happy there, at PSG. The club and the coach no longer wanted to use me. They had already told me about it, so I had to make a decision. And I liked Al Hilal’s proposal », Narrates the person concerned this Sunday in an interview given to Marion Bartoli on RMC.
PSG took advantage of the “best Neymar”
Obviously, Neymar regrets certain aspects of his time in the French capital. And in particular the stormy relationship he may have had with some of the supporters. “ The first year was magnificent, I was very well received by the French people and supporters. The last two, three years haven’t been the same, it wasn’t incredible the way I was treated, it’s the same for Lionel Messi. For me, there was injustice, because I always gave my all on the pitch. I have no hard feelings, but I was a little sad about the way I was treated by the supporters, especially when they came to my house, when they wanted to invade my house, insult me or wanted to hit me. For me, they crossed the line. Our relationship was no longer respectful, whereas I always respected them… It was really a complicated situation. (…)
I have no resentment towards the club, I just have a little resentment towards people who manage the club and some supporters. But that’s in the past. »
That being said, Neymar considers having experienced the “prime” of his career in Paris. “ It’s the club where I spent the most time in my career, six years. I experienced very beautiful moments. (…) My sporting years at PSG were surely the best for me. But it was also very sad because I often had very serious injuries which could last from three, four to six months. It bothered me a lot, but on a football level, on a sporting level, it was the best Neymar they had in my entire career. I didn’t play a full season, only 2020, when we reached the Champions League final. It really was a great year when I look back on it. I will never forget these moments, they are engraved in my heart. »
