'I want to stay at PSG' - Neymar commits future to Ligue 1 giants and urges Mbappe to remain as well
Neymar and Mbappe
01-02-2021 02:06 PM
Ammon News - The Brazil forward will not seek a transfer away from Parc des Princes - and also wants his attacking partner to follow his lead in staying put
Neymar has confirmed for the first time that he is happy to stay at Paris Saint-Germain despite constant speculation over the Brazilian's future in France.
The ex-Santos and Barcelona star hit twice from the penalty spot on Sunday in his side's visit to Lorient.
That double, however, proved insufficient for Mauricio Pochettino's charges, who slumped to a shock 3-2 defeat against a side who began the weekend tied in last place in Ligue 1 with Nimes and Dijon.
But there was at least some cheer for PSG as Neymar, who has been linked with a move back to Barcelona on numerous occasions since arriving at the club in 2017, affirmed that he is where he wants to be in the French capital.
“I am happy today. I am truly happy," the Brazil star explained in an interview with TF1.
"Things have changed a lot. I can’t exactly explain why. But today, I am feeling good. I have adapted. I am calmer and I am happier. I want to stay at PSG."
Kylian Mbappe's future has also been the subject of speculation around Parc des Princes, as little progress has been made on extending the youngster's contract.
Neymar, though, has lent his voice to those calling on Mbappe to renew at PSG.
"I also want Kylian to stay. We want PSG to be a great team. I want to continue to play football and be happy, that is the most important thing," he added.
“With Kylian Mbappe, we have a relationship of brothers. I am the eldest. We really like to play together.
"I want to get the best out of him. He's a golden boy. I call him 'Golden Boy' because he's really golden. He has a huge heart. As a footballer you know what he is worth, but even off the pitch he is amazing.
"He is smiling, happy, he knows how to have fun. We are very similar and we have to be happy to be 100 per cent."
Neymar also revealed his anguish at losing out in the Champions League final to Bayern Munich in August, a setback which he is keen to remedy.
"It’s something that I didn’t like at all. I cried ... I really wanted to bring this cup back to France," he admitted.
"Unfortunately we didn’t make it this time around, but we will have more opportunities and we’re going to make it all the way to the final and clinch this title."
*GOAL