Neymar confirmed that he wanted to leave PSG. Did Messi change his decision?

Brazilian star Neymar has revealed that he wanted to return to Barcelona at all costs before Lionel Messi’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar’s transfer to PSG

French club Paris Saint-German paid a world-record 222 million euros to sign Brazilian Neymar from Barcelona in 2017, ending his hugely successful four-year spell at Camp Nou. The Brazilian international won two La Liga titles and the Champions League with the Blaugranas, among a host of other achievements. At the Catalan big club, he was part of a lethal attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.

But he failed to transfer his star potential to the Parisian big club. Although Neymar scored plenty of goals and assists in his first two seasons with his new employer, he struggled with nagging injuries and poor discipline during his time in Paris. He put the imaginary icing on the cake after the 2019 French Cup final, when he punched a spectator in the stadium with his fist following criticism. As a result, some fans turned against him after the incident.

Neymar confirmed he wanted to leave PSG

The Brazilian cannonballer was heavily linked with a move back to Barcelona in the summer transfer window that year, but the deal never materialised. He has since worked his way back into the good graces of the loyal fans at the Parc des Princes. “I tried to come back to Barca. We tried everything but it was impossible,” Neymar confirmed his desire to leave when quizzed about the then transfer saga on the Fenômenos podcast, which also featured his star predecessor Ronaldo “Fenomeno”.

Did Messi change his mind?

The 30-year-old is now happy in Paris. Especially after being reunited at the same club as his friend Lionel Messi. At the time, the media leaked information that the Argentine was to be the main reason for the Brazilian’s departure from sunny Spain. Neymar allegedly wanted to be the main star of the club, which was impossible alongside Lionel Messi.

But Neymar has denied all these speculations about the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner leaving Barcelona before the ongoing season. “I am very happy that Leo had the opportunity to come here,” he said of the Barcelona legend. “He is my friend and we get along very well,” he responded to the media’s musings.

Neymar is not having the best season

Neymar has again been plagued by protracted health problems this season. In all competitions, he has only managed to appear in 16 matches, in which he has scored just four goals and four assists. The former Barcelona talisman suffered ligament damage in his ankle in November and has been out of the club’s roster for more than two months. Last week, he returned to match practice in Real Madrid’s Champions League eight-final. He came off the bench for the last seventeen minutes and ultimately left quite an impression during the Parisian team’s narrowest of victories.

He spoiled it in the very next home game, which PSG lost 3-1 to Nantes. Neymar opened the scoring account for the visitors from Paris after a disgraceful first-half performance by Mauricio Pochettino’s team, when Nantes built up a three-goal lead. However, he made history with a poorly taken penalty kick that went around the world.

Source: Goal, Youtube