Brazilian superstar Neymar has confirmed his intention to stay at French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), quashing transfer speculation.
“I have a contract with PSG and there have been no offers,” Neymar said in a YouTube interview with a Brazilian broadcaster on Tuesday (Nov. 20).
“I will stay here even if the fans don’t love the players much. Whether they love me or not, I’m going with them,” he added.
Neymar has been the subject of transfer speculation since the end of the 2022-2023 season, with reports linking him to a big-money move to the Saudi Arabian league.
In February, Neymar injured his right ankle in a contested landing during a Ligue 1 home game against Lille, and it was the last time he would play in the 2022-2023 season.
The injury also disrupted PSG’s plans.
In March, PSG played the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 against Bayern Munich (Germany) without Neymar and were eliminated after failing to overcome a 0-1 deficit in the first leg.
This led to criticism from PSG fans that Neymar had been sidelined by injury at crucial stages and was unable to contribute to the team.
After being declared out for the season, Neymar underwent successful surgery and rehabilitation and recently joined the team in training.
In a preseason training photo posted on the club’s website on Nov. 11, he was seen stretching alongside South Korean soccer’s next big thing, Lee Kang-in.
Neymar’s “declaration of intent to stay” is a welcome development for PSG, which has been working on filling the void left by Lionel Messi’s departure to Inter Miami (USA), including signing Lee Kang-in from Mallorca (Spain).
Without Messi, there is no one better to spearhead the team’s offense and take on the top teams in Europe.
Playing mostly in the second line, Neymar’s versatility will allow him to share the field with Lee Kang-in.
Neymar also has a connection with new coach Luis Enrique.
Enrique was in charge of Spanish soccer giants Barcelona from 2014-2017, 먹튀검증토토사이트 where he spearheaded the “MSN” line of Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez (Gremio).
In its first season, 2014-2015, the MSN line combined for 122 goals and led Barcelona to a triple treble.
