I’M A STROPPY SUPERSTAR.. NOW GET ME OUT OF HERE
Neymar joins the miserable millionaires club
NEYMAR is the latest in an increasingly long list of unhappy superstars.
Despite their immense talent – and extraordinary wealth – it seems all is not well in the rarified atmosphere of the world’s finest football talent.
From the Brazilian at Paris Saint- Germain, to Gareth Bale at Real Madrid, Phi lippe Coutinho at Barcelona, and Manchester United skipper Paul Pogba, there is discontent and a desire to quit some of the planet’s biggest clubs.
Nowhere is this more striking than with Neymar, who joined PSG from Barcelona for a record £199million in 2017.
But the French club’s president, Nasser AlKhelaifi, opened the door to Neymar’s departure when he said: “I want the players to be proud to wear this shirt, not players who do the job when it suits them.
“They’re not here for a good time. And if they don’t agree, the door is open. I no longer want superstar behaviour.
“We’ve had enough of it. I want above all to give them the following message – it will not be possible to behave like before.”
Neymar was sidelined with injury when PSG were dumped out of the Champions League in the last 16 in the past two seasons – and has become increasingly involved in scandal off the pitch.
The 27-year-old fell out with team-mates, slapped a Rennes fan after losing the French Cup final, and left early for Brazil’s Copa America campaign against the wishes of coach Thomas Tuchel.
Last month he was accused of rape.
French media reports yesterday claimed Neymar wants to go and that PSG are willing to sell – probably back to Barcelona – with super- agent Pini Zahavi working on the deal. Also unhappy are:
■ POGBA, who had a showdown with United fans over his performance on the final day of the season. He wants a move to Real Madrid, who will want to rush through a deal by July 1 which is when United report back for training and a week before they go on tour.
■ BALE, axed from the squad by Real boss Zinedine Zidane as he does not feature in his plans, and
■ COUTINHO, made a scapegoat for Barca’s Champions League semifinal humiliation at Anfield, with fans insisting he goes.
Al- Khelaifi also told France Football that Leonardo had been re- appointed sporting director to bring a new mentality to PSG – with or without Neymar.