Former Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar said he felt “resentful” towards “the people who run the club and some of the fans” during his six years with the French giant in a move that remains the most expensive transfer in history.
The 32-year-old, who scored 118 goals and made 70 assists in 173 appearances before joining Saudi club Al Hilal for around £71.2m in August 2023, was targeted by a group of Paris Saint-Germain fans at his home in April 2023. Having made his last appearance for the club in February before missing 15 matches following ankle surgery.
Neymar said: “The first year was wonderful. The French people and the fans received me very well.” RMCtalks about his £200m move from Barcelona in August 2017.
“The last two or three years have not been the same. The way I was treated was not amazing, and it was the same for Lionel Messi.”
𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗜, @neymarjr! ❤️💙
A warm farewell from the team to Neymar Jr. on the Paris Saint-Germain campus today!
✨ #Thank you Nai pic.twitter.com/eIDpmRVNB9
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 17, 2023
Neymar: “Injustice” at Paris Saint-Germain
Messi, Barcelona's all-time leading scorer, followed Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021 after his shock exit from his boyhood club because it could not meet La Liga's financial rules to keep him.
The move united the duo with 2018 World Cup winner and PSG's all-time top goalscorer, Kylian Mbappé, giving the French giants the most feared attacking trio in world football.
Neymar and Mbappe helped Paris Saint-Germain reach the Champions League final in 2019/20, but that remains the only occasion on which the 12-time French champions have progressed past the semi-finals and been eliminated in the round of 16 during Messi's two seasons. At the club they were widely viewed as underachievers.
“For me, there was injustice, because I was giving everything I had on the field,” said Neymar, who missed 136 matches with Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil during his time in the French League.
55' ⚽️ Messi
62' ⚽️ Neymar Jr #𝗣𝗦𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗖| 3-2pic.twitter.com/MXMaKllAJm
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 29, 2022
“I don't have any resentment, but I was a little sad about the way Ansar treated me, especially when they came to my house, when they wanted to break into my house, insult me or beat me.
“For me, they crossed the line. Our relationship was no longer respectful, while I always respected them… It was a really complicated situation.”
“Great” and “sad” moments.
Neymar added: “I felt sad about the way I was treated in the end, but it passed.” “I respect Paris Saint-Germain as a club and will always support them (and hope they achieve) the best results.
“I don't have any resentment towards the club, I have a little bit of resentment towards the people who run the club and some of the fans. But that's in the past.
Neymar the singer!? 🎤
This week's full episode of #no comment It can be found here: https://t.co/UY83A62XsB pic.twitter.com/uh2LqqwIkI
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) July 17, 2020
“It's the club where I've spent the most time in my career, six years. I've had some great moments, but also some sad moments. My relationship with the fans is part of the sad moments unfortunately.
“But on a sporting level, it was the best football I played. So I'm happy and I have a clear conscience about that… In terms of football, I think I was at the peak of my career.
Neymar, Messi and Mbappe
The 2020/21 season was the only season in which Paris Saint-Germain failed to win the French title with Neymar participating. Nine-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi joined Inter Miami in July 2023, while Mbappe joined Real Madrid after the 25-year-old's contract expired at the end of last season.
“(Parts of my time there) were bad, because I was injured for a long time and a lot of times… I didn't finish the season,” Neymar said. “It was very sad for me, because I often had very serious injuries that could last for three, four to six months.
Two goals, the best player in the match, and applause from the Korean fans… How could you want more than that, Neymar Jr.? 👏⚽🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/92oxBKZWEs
— Brazilian Football Confederation (@CBF_Futebol) June 2, 2022
“It bothered me a lot, but in terms of football, in terms of sport, he was the best Neymar they had in my entire career.
“I will never forget the good times I had, especially the Champions League final. They were really unbelievable moments. We could have won (with a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich), but the final was decided based on the details.
“It was a truly amazing year, when I think back on it. I will never forget those moments, they are engraved in my heart.
“Playing in the French League was a really good experience, and the fans were great with me. I wrote my story in the French League, and it was good for my career. I am proud and happy to be part of that.”
Rodigo helps Neymar break Pele's record in Brazilian history
Santos history 🤍 pic.twitter.com/dRWHMhONvE
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 9, 2023
Neymar wants to return to Brazil
Brazil's all-time top scorer now wants to play in the 2026 World Cup despite missing more than 13 months of international action due to injury.
Neymar broke Pele's record by scoring the 78th of his 79 international goals during Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Bolivia in September 2023, but he suffered a tear in his anterior cruciate ligament against Uruguay the following month.
In the short term, his return plans were thwarted by the injury he suffered in his brief second appearance after returning to Al Hilal.
Neymar was introduced as a second-half substitute during the Saudi Professional League side's 3-0 win over Iranian rival Esteghlal in the AFC Champions League last month, but lasted less than 30 minutes before withdrawing.
Al Hilal is happy to announce Neymar’s inclusion in the team’s squad for Al Ain’s trip away from home 🇧🇷
He's back 💪@neymarjr 💙 pic.twitter.com/G9Lu4sZPaS
– Al Hilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) October 19, 2024
Although Neymar described the injury as “hopefully not too much”, he has not added to his seven appearances for the club who paid a fee of more than £71m for him.
“I am really very happy here,” he said of the Riyadh club. “All the players who want to come here are surprised by the level or even by some very positive aspects of this tournament.
“Definitely – yes, yes, I will be back (for Brazil). I am preparing for it and I am excited. I should have been called up (for the World Cup qualifiers in November), but after speaking with the coach (Dorival Junior) he decided against it.
“Next time, I will definitely be with my teammates, and I am preparing for it anyway. There is nothing better than representing your country.
“We hope that the team will improve. It is developing. We must not forget that the team is young, we have potential and we will have to realize it as quickly as possible so that we can become a great team.
Neymar is getting ready 😤 @neymarjr pic.twitter.com/q9HoiSazvd
– Al Hilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) September 19, 2024
Al-Hilal “priority” for Neymar
Brazil's next World Cup qualifiers will be held next March, and Dorival Junior does not lack attacking options, with Real Madrid's trio of Vinicius Junior, Rodrigo, Andric, and Barcelona's Rafinha.
There has been speculation in Saudi Arabia that Al Hilal will not re-sign Neymar for the second half of the Premier League season.
The defending champions and current title contenders have not named him in the squad for the first half of the season due to his injury, but he is cleared to play in international competitions.
Neymar said: “First and foremost, I want to have a good season with Al Hilal. “I'm back from a very serious injury. I still have a little time to get back to my level and show why I'm here.
📸 Neymar continues his rehabilitation program 💙#Al-Hilal pic.twitter.com/Grf1qWkzuX
– Al Hilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) September 2, 2024
“My priority is: recover well, develop physically, and play simply again. I would like to play in the 2025 Club World Cup (in the United States in June and July) with Al Hilal, because it is very important for the club.
“The World Cup is the goal of all players. I have already played in three World Cup finals. I want to do a fourth. I have to focus on that, prepare well here and have that goal in the medium term after I regain my fitness here at the club.
He added: “I am now ready to return to the field quickly this season with my team and the Seleção.”
Al Hilal will next play in the King Cup quarter-finals against Al-Ittihad at the Kingdom Arena on January 7 (6.30 pm GMT).
