PSG’s president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, has responded to criticisms directed at the French club by former player Neymar and former sporting director Leonardo.
The Brazilian star departed the French capital this summer for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in a £78 million deal after his record-breaking transfer from Barcelona in 2017.
After leaving the club, he expressed his displeasure with how he and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi were treated, stating that they had endured a difficult time.
Neymar, as reported by AS Sports, mentioned, “I was very happy for the year he (Messi) had, but also very sad, because he lived both sides of the coin. He realized a dream with Argentina and won everything, but at PSG he lived through hell. We both did.”
“Messi left (PSG) in a way that, in a football perspective, he did not deserve. Everything he is, everything he does, anyone who knows him, he’s a guy who trains, fights, if he loses he’s angry and was unfairly accused.”
“It made me very happy that he won the World Cup. Messi deserved to ‘end’ his career like this.”
Former chief Leonardo also suggested that the club did not provide ample support for the trio, including Kylian Mbappe, to create a winning environment.
In response, Al-Khelaifi has refuted these claims.
‘Kylian Mbappé is an incredible player and a fantastic person,’ Al-Khelaifi stated.
‘And PSG’s team has never been so united on and off the pitch. This is something that we saw in this weekend’s 4-1 win at Lyon.
‘We have a fantastic coach [Luis Enrique] and sports director [Luis Campos], and I am very happy with the renewed spirit that reigns in the club.
‘This year, in the new PSG cycle, we focus less on results and more on performance and our style of play,’ Al-Khelaifi added. ‘If we do this, the results will accompany us.
‘But some forget that, in the last four seasons, PSG has reached both the final of the Champions League and the semifinal of the same competition and only two other teams have gone further.’
