- Neymar was signed by PSG from Barcelona for a world record 198m fee in 2017
- Despite winning several trophies, the club failed to win the Champions League
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! The reason why Pep Guardiola would walk from Manchester City
Neymar has taken issue with his treatment by PSG fans in a rebuke of the supporters at his former club.
The Brazilian was signed by the Parisian’s for a world record 198million fee in 2017 and went on to score 118 goals and provide 77 assists in 173 games for the club. The 32-year-old’s six-year stay in the French capital would ordinarily be remembered as a resounding success.
Neymar won five French titles, three French cups and was routinely considered among the best players on the planet during his time. But given the side’s failure to achieve the ultimate aim winning the Champions League – an objective made harder by his regular injuries during the business end of the season – his contribution is often downplayed.
Now, attempting to rediscover his best form after returning from injury at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal, the forward has addressed the criticism he faced from PSG supporters and insisted ‘It wasn’t really fair’.
‘The first year in Paris was wonderful,’ he said on RMC’s Bartoli Time podcast. ‘I was very well received by the fans, but the last two or three years have not been the same. It wasn’t really fair how I was treated.
Last May, fans were filmed chanting for the board to resign outside club headquarters before further clips showed a group of supporters visiting the home of the former Barcelona star and calling for him to move on.
Neymar spent six seasons in the French capital with PSG following his world record £198million transfer in 2017
Last May some supporters turned up outside his house and ordered him to leave the club
The Brazilian’s time with the Ligue 1 giants was hampered by injuries that routinely struck in the final few months of the season
PSG condemned their supporter’s actions and described the behaviour displayed by a ‘small group of individuals’ as ‘intolerable and insulting’.
‘For me, they crossed a line. Our relationship was no longer respectful, while I always respected them. It was a really complicated situation. I was sad about how they treated me in the end.’
Neymar’s ties with the fans were finally severed in August 2023 year when he completed a £78m transfer to Riyadh-based outfit.
Despite his run-ins with some of the club’s fans, the forward insisted that he still hold affection towards the club, just ‘a little grudge’ with some supporters and the people in charge.
He added: ‘I respect PSG and will always support them so that they can achieve the best possible results. I have no grudge against the club, I just have a little grudge against the people who manage the club and some fans.
‘Unfortunately, my relationship with the fans is one of the sad moments. That is in the past and I have a clear conscience about it.’
