Lee Kang-in said goodbye to Neymar. Neymar also swallowed regret.
Neymar has left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Al-Hilal announced the news of the signing of Neymar through the club’s official channel on the 16th (hereinafter referred to as Korean time). His contract is for two years, and Neymar will wear the number 10 shirt in Saudi Arabia.
After Neymar’s transfer was confirmed, Lee Kang-in said goodbye through social media. He posted a picture taken with Neymar and commented, “It was a short time together, but it was a really special time. Thank you so much.” In response, Neymar also shared Lee Kang-in’s post and said, “It was a short time, but you are already in my heart. See you later.”
Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013 from Brazil. He and he, together with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, were called the ‘MSN’ line and led Barcelona’s attack. Barcelona, led by them, won numerous championships. Neymar won two Spanish La Liga titles, one UEFA Champions League (UCL) title, and three Copa del Rey titles during the four years he spent in Barcelona.
Afterwards, he decided to go to PSG and became the main character of the ‘Transfer of the Century’. During the 2017-18 season, PSG paid a whopping 222 million euros (approximately 321.7 billion won) to sign Neymar. It was the highest transfer fee ever recorded in the world. The recruitment of Neymar was part of the club’s project to win the UCL, and for similar reasons, Kylian Mbappe was also recruited shortly after.먹튀검증
In fact, significant results have been achieved. In the 2019-20 season, with Neymar and Mbafe playing well, PSG advanced to the UCL final for the first time in club history. Although they failed to win the championship after being defeated by Bayern Munich, they were able to get a glimpse of their potential. Afterwards, Neymar signed a new contract with PSG until the summer of 2025, showing his will to contribute to the club’s goals.
Neymar scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists in 20 Ligue 1 matches last season. He was showing good performance, averaging more than 1 offensive point per game. However, it was regrettable that he was ruled out of the season due to an injury at the end of February last year.
A problem arose in the midst of this. Messi’s unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia at the end of the season sparked PSG fans’ criticism of Neymar. In the past, every time PSG performed below expectations in the UCL, Neymar was heavily criticized by fans. It was similar this time. Fans went to Neymar’s house and shouted for him to leave.
It has been argued that Neymar has also lost patience with the behavior of PSG fans. He’s actually rumored to be considering leaving this summer. There were also rumors of transfers to several clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea. However, at the time, Neymar himself announced his intention to remain at PSG, and the rumors about his future seemed to have come to an end.
Neymar said in late June: “I hope to play for PSG in the upcoming season. I have a contract with PSG and no one has said otherwise. Even if there is no love between the PSG fans and the players, I will stay.”
PSG has undergone a change of command tower ahead of the next season. After the departure of manager Christophe Galtier, manager Luis Enrique took over the helm. Coach Enrique has the experience of lifting the UCL championship that PSG wants. He won the treble by winning La Liga, UCL and Copa del Rey in the 2014-15 season. Neymar was also playing at this time.
Neymar prepared for the pre-season with his old mentor Enrique and a new squad. Although he did not play properly due to an injury suffered at the end of last season, he was caught training happily with the players. In particular, his chemistry with Lee Kang-in stood out.
The two exchanged uniforms after the 2022 Qatar World Cup round of 16. At the time, it was just a head-to-head confrontation, but after eating one pot rice at PSG, they became rapidly closer. They were also side by side in a group photo taken in front of the plane before going on a tour in Japan, and the scene where they got off the plane together was captured. Also, at the training ground, Lee Kang-in and Neymar could be seen playing around.
Neymar, who missed all three games in Japan due to injury, started the match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. And he played full-time and scored multiple goals. The sensuous individuality shown in the first goal scene was a part of why Neymar is a world-class player. Until the Jeonbuk match, Neymar looked like a player included in PSG’s plan for this season.
In the midst of this, transfer rumors arose. France’s ‘L’Equipe’ said, “Neymar told PSG last weekend that he wants to leave the team this summer.” Neymar’s father gave an interview in which he denied this, but the situation began to change rapidly.
Correspondent Cabe Solhecoll of British ‘Sky Sports’ also said, “Neymar has made it clear that he wants to leave the team this summer. His contract has three years left. Neymar wants to return to Barcelona, but due to Barcelona’s financial problems, it is not realistic. is difficult,” he said.
At the same time, he conveyed his views on PSG club policy. Reporter Sol Hecol said, “Now, PSG wants to end the ‘Galactico’ culture that started with Neymar and Mbappe. Such players will not be the center of the club’s future plans. “The players will be the main pillars. PSG wants players who are dedicated to the team. Neymar is PSG’s past. It is not the future.”
Neymar’s current contract runs through the summer of 2025. He could play at PSG for up to three more years, as the option for a one-year extension is included, but for now, it seems likely that the partnership will end this summer. He could also return to Barcelona. In particular, it is known that Neymar himself wants it.
In this regard, reporter José Alvarez Haya of Spain’s ‘El Chiringito’ said, “Barcelona has now concluded a personal agreement with Neymar. He is ready to cut his salary and the contract period runs until 2026.”
However, a move to Al-Hilal is likely. Al Hilal is the team that tried to sign Lionel Messi this summer. Even at the time, he tried to convince Messi with an astronomical salary, but he chose to go to the United States instead of Saudi Arabia. He is currently playing for Inter Miami in the American Major League Soccer (MLS).
Al Hilal did not give up here and brought in players with deep roots from Europe, such as Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergei Milinkovic-Savic and Malcolm. Recently, Neymar’s colleague Mbafe has also been recruited, but Mbappe did not want to go to Saudi Arabia. But finally, world-class star Neymar is imminent.
On the 13th, transfer market expert Fabricio Romano said, “The negotiations between Al-Hilal and Neymar are close to completion. According to what is currently known, Neymar’s medical test will be held in Paris.
A day later, reporter Romano said, “Neymar is moving to Al-Hilal. He will head to Saudi Arabia this week. It’s a two-year contract, and his shirt number is 10. PSG charge less than 100 million euros (approximately 146.1 billion won). Today The medical test will be completed,” he added, adding the phrase “HERE WE GO” used when a transfer is imminent.
French ‘Foot Mercato’ also said, “Neymar’s transfer to Al Hilal has been finalized. According to our sources, he will be heading to Saudi Arabia. Al Hilal was trying to find an agreement with Neymar and PSG last weekend, and for now Everything is over,” he said.
The media continued, “PSG and Al-Hilal have reached an agreement, and the transfer fee will be slightly less than 100 million euros. Neymar will undergo a medical test in the next few hours and will join the team within this week. The contract is for two years and will receive an annual salary of 100 million euros.”
On the contrary, Mbappe was confirmed to remain. Mbappe was excluded from the Asian tour list during the preseason, and he could not join the first team training until recently. Rather, when I saw it in the pre-season atmosphere, it seemed that Mbappe would leave and Neymar would remain, but the situation changed rapidly.
In particular, in the case of Mbappe, it seems that he decided to play for PSG again this season after having positive conversations with President Nasser Al Khelaifi and coach Enrique. In this regard, PSG officially announced on the club website on the 13th, “Our club had a very constructive and positive conversation with Mbappe. Mbappe has returned to first-team training.”
In addition, reporter Santi Auna of France’s ‘Foot Mercato’ said on the 13th that “Mbappe and PSG have opened the door to contract extension,” and continued, “PSG’s plan is to insert a guarantee sale clause when the contract ends next summer, so that in 2025 “We are offering a lease until the summer. Both parties are positive about it.”
It is highly likely that the contract will be renewed. The British ‘BBC’ reported that “Mbappe can sign a one-year extension contract. In this case, PSG will receive a transfer fee next summer and will be able to sell Mbappe to other teams, including Real Madrid.”