Marion Bartoli and Benoît Boutron landed the first interview with Neymar Jr for Bartoli Time since his departure from PSG. An interview reflecting the image of the Brazilian, always so fond of dribbling and brilliant shots. Present in Riyadh, Benoît Boutron tells us.
25 degrees, mild heat at the end of November in the Saudi capital. After 15 days of negotiations between Marion Bartoli and the Neymar clan, the meeting is set by the entourage of the Brazilian star at 4:30 p.m. at the Al-Hilal training center, reigning Saudi Arabian champion. Quite basic sports complex, where you can come across many children dressed in club tracksuits and in which the amateur and professional games are only separated by an alley.
>>> the full interview with Neymar on RMC
A minimalist training center, consisting of a pitch framed by two side stands made up of an excellent lawn and an adjacent sports hall.
The club employees welcome us and seem surprised by our arrival, this is the first time that Neymar has received journalists for an interview since his arrival in Riyadh.
Two key figures from the Neymar clan quickly join us: Humberto Paiva, associate of the famous Pini Zahavi who manages the financial interests of the ex-PSG player, and Gabriela Pozzi, his image agent.
The players from the professional squad are arriving in trickles: Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo and even local star Nasser Al Dawsari.
10 minutes later, Ney finally arrives aboard a luxurious sedan driven by his personal driver.
Neymar relaxed, smiling in a casual outfit with fangs on his feet.
He is gradually returning to training after a hamstring injury sustained on November 4 in the Asian Champions League against Iranian club Esteghlal.
Neymar marked by his end of Parisian adventure
The Seleçao captain has only played two matches this season, returning from a ruptured cruciate knee ligament suffered in October 2023 during a match with Brazil. In total, he has only played seven games with Al-Hilal since his arrival, scoring only one goal.
During the twenty minutes of the interview, Neymar appears smiling, calm and sincere. We feel him marked by the end of his Parisian adventure and by the brutality of his hasty departure. The star answers in Portuguese, but understands the questions in French.
According to our information, Neymar was indeed pushed towards the exit. While he had started the summer preparation, the Brazilian and his entourage received a call from the Parisian management to tell him that the club was no longer counting on him (decision validated by the new coach Luis Enrique) and that he had to go away. The timing is tight, the pre-season camp is almost over, the end of the transfer window is approaching. The Saudi proposal will arrive four days later.
Bartoli madness: Neymar Jr, exceptional guest of “Bartoli Time”! – 15/12
He holds a grudge against certain members of management (notably Luis Campos, the sports advisor) and against the Parisian supporters who came to his doorstep to threaten him and demand his departure. Despite everything, he retains a strong attachment to PSG and still forms a peaceful relationship with President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.
Even in Riyadh, the Tois are there
Although he readily admits that his best sporting years are behind him, the most expensive player in the history of football is optimistic about the rest of his career and his return to the highest level. After extolling the merits of the Saudi championship, Ney claims to be in permanent contact with Brazilian coach Dorival Junior. The top scorer in the history of the Selecao has set his sights on playing in a fourth World Cup in 2026.
The exchange ends with a “thank you” and a smile.
After a few photos, the former PSG number 10 heads off to join his group of friends, the famous Tois, present in the parking lot of the training center. Around ten childhood friends who follow Ney all over the world.
