Neymar expresses frustration after 3-1 loss to Real Madrid
Neymar issued a scathing indictment of the team PSG have built around him following their 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. The Brazilian, who joined the Ligue 1 leaders last summer after buying out his Barcelona contract for a world record €222 million claimed PSG’s board has not provided him with enough support to win the Champions League this season, suggesting that they need to sign former teammate Lionel Messi.
“After a performance like this, it’s clear that we don’t have what it takes to win this competition yet,” Neymar told reporters. “In Barcelona, I won the Champions League with Messi. Do they expect me to do this by myself? Maybe if we add Messi here, we can win the Champions League in the future.”
PSG academy product Adrien Rabiot scored PSG’s only goal in the 33rd minute, while Neymar was fortunate not to get sent off when the referee decided not to book him a second time for going to ground despite not being fouled. He was also criticized for appearing to be unwilling to pass to his teammates—a charge Neymar dismissed.
“My right foot passed to my left and my left foot passed to my right,” he said. “What more can I do?”
Neymar wasn’t the only member of PSG to receive criticism for the defeat, however. Manager Unai Emery was question over leaving Thiago Silva on the bench and substituting top scorer Edinson Cavani in just the 66th minute.
When asked whether he thought a failure to win the Champions League with his expensive squad would result in his dismissal, Emery replied: “Wait, we’re supposed to win the Champions League? Shit.”
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