The decision to sign Neymar to a new contract at the Parc des Princes at the end of last season was reportedly regretted by Paris Saint-management.
The former Barcelona winger signed a new contract with Mauricio Pochettino that would keep him at the club until 2025. Neymar gets €40 million (£33 million) per season, which is more than Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
PSG is on the verge of winning the French title, but the club’s fans have yet to forgive their players for their early Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid. And the French champions may be willing to blame their misfortunes on the player who cost them a world-record-breaking £200 million in the summer of 2017.
During PSG’s easy victory over Bordeaux in March, both Neymar and Messi were booed brutally by the crowd. Despite the fact that Neymar scored in a comfortable 3-0 home victory, PSG fans continued to blame Messi and Neymar for their Champions League exit.
According to reports, this feeling has spread to the PSG board of directors, who are reported to ‘regret’ their choice to prolong his contract. The Parisian bosses are said to be upset with Neymar’s frequent ailments and increasingly uneven performances.
The environment and tone are a far cry from his first relief at staying at the Parc des Princes. Neymar remarked shortly after signing the new contract in May 2021, “I’m really thrilled to be extending my contract with Paris until 2025.”
“To be honest, I’m extremely glad to be continuing here for another four years, to be a part of the club’s mission, to try and win titles, to try and realize our biggest dream, which is to win the Champions League.”
So I’m delighted to be continuing at the club, to be a part of it, and to have my contract extended. The delight of being a member of this squad, this team, this club, Paris Saint-Germain.
“Then there’s the bond I have with the club, with the work, with the players who are currently in the group, and with a fantastic coach who will undoubtedly help us even more.” These factors strengthen your faith in the project.”
The French giants’ Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich in 2020 remains the only time they have ever reached the pinnacle competition in European football. They were also knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Manchester City last season, losing both legs as Pep Guardiola’s technicians played them off the park.
While PSG may be looking to offload Neymar, his exorbitant salary could be a major stumbling block. Few clubs have the financial means to match it, and even fewer are willing to do so.