Neymar lands player prize, then dismisses exit rumors
PARIS — Neymar was named France’s player of the year at an awards ceremony in Paris on Sunday, and later brushed away questions over his future.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar took the prize despite missing the last three months of the season due to injury.
The world’s most expensive player scored 19 goals in just 20 league games for PSG before sustaining a foot injury in February that required surgery in his native Brazil.
He has not played since, and only returned to France at the start of this month, fueling speculation that he could seek to leave the club.
“I am very touched and very happy with our season. It is an honor. Without my teammates, I would never have received this award,” said the 26-year-old.
Also nominated for the prize were PSG’s Edinson Cavani, Ligue 1’s top scorer with 28 goals, and 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe, who won the young player of the year award, as well as Marseille winger Florian Thauvin.
Neymar refused to discuss his future after collecting his award, which was voted on by his fellow players.
“We talk about these things every time the transfer window comes around. I don’t want to talk about anything at the moment,” he said.
“Everyone knows why I came here, what my objectives are. Right now, my objective is the World Cup, not talking about transfers.
“I spend my whole life, every transfer window, talking about it. It’s a bit annoying.”
Neymar was signed from Barcelona for a world-record $264 million last August, and helped PSG to a clean sweep of the domestic trophies.
However, his injury appeared to cost Unai Emery’s team dearly in its Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid. He missed the second leg as PSG lost 5-2 on aggregate.
Neymar is hoping to be back to full fitness in time to lead Brazil at the World Cup in Russia, which starts in a month’s time.
‘2,000 percent sure’
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insisted on Saturday that there was no chance Neymar would be leaving.
“I am 2,000 percent sure he will stay,” Al-Khelaifi said, rejecting talk of a transfer to Real Madrid. “The Spanish media has been talking since October. I don’t respond to rumors, I don’t have the time. But I am sure he will be a Paris Saint-Germain player.”