Neymar, 32-year-old Al-Hilal and Brazil striker, former Paris Saint-Germain star, reflected on his contrasting experience within the club in an interview for Bartoli Time (RMC Sport). Between success on the pitch and injuries, he shared his notable memories, notably the 2020 Champions League final, while expressing his disappointment with the management of the club and certain behavior of supporters.
Neymar « My experience at PSG was good and bad”
“My experience at PSG was good and bad. Very good, because in football terms, I think I was at the peak of my career, and bad, because I was injured for a long time and often, I think I didn't even finish a season, so there was necessarily sadness.
Neymar « The first year in Paris was magnificent”
But I will not forget the very good moments like the Champions League final (in 2020), we could have won it but a final is decided on details. Otherwise, playing in Ligue 1 was a very good experience, the fans were great with me during my time, I wrote my story in L1, I'm proud of it, but it's over and I now have to focus on Al-Hilal. The first year in Paris was wonderful, I was very well received by the fans, but the last two or three weren't the same, it wasn't really fair the way I was treated.
Neymar « For me, they exceeded the limits”
I think Messi more or less experienced the same thing. For me, they crossed the line (when they came to his house). Our relationship was no longer respectful, whereas I always respected them… It was really a complicated situation. I was sad about the way I was treated at the end, he added, before addressing a few tackles to his management at the time. I respect PSG and I will always support them so that they have the best possible results.
Neymar « I have no resentment towards the club”
I have no resentment towards the club, I just have a bit of resentment towards people who manage the club and some supporters. My relationship with the supporters is unfortunately one of the sad moments. It's in the past and I have a clear conscience about it. »
Neymar's Parisian adventure leaves a taste of unfinished business. Despite his exceptional talent, the Brazilian was unable to fully express his potential at PSG. Recurring injuries have deprived the club and supporters of the full measure of his genius. PSG had bet big on Neymar, hoping that he would be the missing piece to conquer Europe.
Unfortunately, his chronic unavailability has often left the club helpless during crucial moments. The Champions League final lost in 2020 symbolizes this missed opportunity with its history at PSG and that of the club.
Neymar's flashes of genius allow us to imagine what his time in Paris could have been without the physical glitches. This reflection on what could have been, will probably remain as one of the greatest regrets of the Qatari era of PSG.
We must still recognize that he did not come in the interview to “destroy” the management (despite certain headlines), or even hit on all the supporters. He qualifies his remarks, which seems unexpected as he was thrown out by the supporters. In addition, he is paying for a period in which nothing really worked while he was the figurehead of a project where everything was shaky.
