Neymar feels more alive at PSG after debut goal

NEYMAR wasted no time in making an impact on the field for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring on his debut in a 3-0 win at Guingamp on Sunday and declaring himself to be “feeling more alive than ever”.

The Brazilian world record signing was handed a start by coach Unai Emery for the game in Brittany, two days after international clearance came through for his switch from Barcelona.

The 25-year-old, at home in PSG’s all yellow change kit, played a part in the own goal scored by Jordan Ikoko that gave the away side the lead early in the second half.

He then set up the second goal for Edinson Cavani with a superb pass in behind the Guingamp defence before completing a comfortable victory with his team’s third goal eight minutes from the end as PSG made it two wins from two to start the French season.

“People think that leaving Barca is to die, but no, it’s the opposite,” Neymar told reporters. I’m more alive than ever. I play, I’m very happy, and football is the same. Only the country, the city and the team change, but football is the same.”

Despite the many distractions of the last couple of weeks, including trips to China, Portugal and the French Riviera and glitzy presentations to the media and PSG fans, Neymar lasted the full 90 minutes.

Guingamp, a sleepy little town 500 kilometres west of Paris with a population of barely 7,000, may have been a slightly incongruous setting for such an occasion but the match was broadcast live in more than 180 countries according to his new club.

That was a sign of the interest generated worldwide by Neymar’s transfer, which Qatarowned PSG hope will help them conquer Europe after so far coming up short in the Champions League in recent seasons.

Emery’s side are also desperate to regain the French crown after losing out to Monaco last season.

PSG needed seven minutes of the second half to get the breakthrough with Neymar involved in the build-up as Ikoko tried to play the ball back to Johnsson and succeeded only in passing it into his own net.

Neymar then released Cavani with a delightful pass as the Uruguayan slotted home the second goal just after the hour mark.

All that was missing was a goal of his own and that arrived eight minutes from the end as Neymar finished from close range following a Cavani cutback. – AFP