PSG forked out the world record transfer fee for Neymar after they activated the Brazilian’s release clause to bring him to the French capital from Barcelona. The deal, as many now know, changed the landscape of football transfers and perhaps the Brazilian’s career, albeit not in a good way.
While Neymar scored 118 goals in 117 appearances for PSG (a better goal ratio than he had at Barcelona), his time at the club was largely considered unsuccessful due to the lack of European trophies. Neymar has now opened up about his time in the French capital, which the club’s new manager promptly responded to.
Luis Enrique addresses Neymar’s controversial statement on PSG stint
Neymar recently opened up on his time at PSG, calling it “hell” and saying Messi did not deserve to be treated the way he was. This has prompted a swift response from Luis Enrique, who revealed in a shocking statement that both players wanted to stay at the club. “These are personal experiences, I don’t want to get into that,” the former Barcelona treble-winning manager said. “I can tell you about my experience. I’m absolutely delighted, I feel like I’m in charge of a unique team with a club that trusts me 100%,” he continued.
When pressed further about Neymar’s remake, Enrique said, “We don’t make any comments. We have a certain elegance. Curiously, both players wanted to stay at PSG.”
Messi and Neymar were made scapegoats for PSG’s European failures, with both players receiving boos from fans for their perceived lack of effort. Messi and Neymar were reunited at PSG following the former’s exit from Barcelona after his contract expired. Their reunion was predicted to be fruitful, bringing PSG’s quest for European success to fruition, but the duo, supported by Kylian Mbappe, couldn’t deliver the continental trophy.
Neymar joined Al-Hilal with record contract
Neymar’s five-year stint with PSG came to an end this summer when Al-Hilal offered him a way out of his misery at the French capital. The former Santos winger quickly jumped ship to join the Saudi Pro League club, with Al-Hilal offering him one of the biggest contracts in the league. Neymar earns £2.65 million weekly in the Middle East, taking his annual paycheck to £138 million, making him one of the world’s highest-paid players.
Neymar is the third highest-paid player in Saudi Arabia, behind Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Can Neymar help Al-Hilal lift the Saudi Pro League this season? Let us know your predictions in the comments section.
