20 July 2023 , 09:57
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Neymar has opened up on his future at Paris Saint-Germain and why it did not work out for Lionel Messi in the French capital.
Mirror Football exclusively reported in April that Neymar could leave the Parc des Princes this summer after six seasons at the club. While there has been interest from the Premier League in his signature, that has not been backed up with any approaches to the French club.
There has also been the Brazilian’s ongoing reported feud with attacking teammate Mbappe. The superstar duo fell out over the order of penalty-takers earlier this season in a Ligue 1 clash and the futures of both players has been in the spotlight in recent months.
Neymar, 31, suffered another campaign blighted by injuries last time out. One of the club’s top earners who carries a high status, he remains the most expensive player in the world following his £198million switch from Barcelona in 2017.
The Brazilian has netted 118 goals in 173 appearances for the French club but there has been a lingering sense that he has failed to hit the huge expectations that many predicted due to his world-record price tag and failure to land a European title in Paris.
Mbappe misses two penalties and open goal in one minute before going off injured
Speaking on the Que Papinho programme on Youtube, Neymar said of Messi’s exit: "I had been asking him about him. In recent weeks I had doubts, and he told me.
"Messi has won everything. His family was very affected after the last two years at PSG. I understand the reasons and he is going to a place where he will be well received.
Neymar had been linked with a move away from PSG this summer (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)Have Your Say! Should a Premier League club consider signing Neymar ? Tell us what you think here.
"He will live a completely different life and his family will feel really good in Miami. It was a good choice. Here, we had difficult years together."
Neymar then went on to clarify why Messi’s arrival did not help bring success for the French club on a European stage. They crashed out of the Round of 16 stage of the Champions League in consecutive seasons.
"Real Madrid's galacticos didn't win the Champions League," Neymar continued. "We had a strong team. Messi, Mbappe and I are the best in the world, we know that, but unfortunately it didn't happen. We wanted to win everything, but football is sometimes not fair. It's not like the recipe for a cake."
Speaking on his own future, the Brazilian added – appearing to rule out an exit: "Until now nobody has told me, I'm quiet. Even though there isn't much love between the fans and the players, I will be there. With love or without love, but with Neymar."