Neymar: 'Me and Messi live in hell at PSG'
Brazilian station Globo's Esporte Espetacular program interviewed Neymar in June, but only aired on September 3. Here, the Brazilian striker was asked about his feelings when he saw his senior and close friend Messi win the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.
"I'm very happy for Messi's successful year," Neymar replied. "But at the same time it was very sad, because Messi lived on both sides of the coin. He went to heaven with Argentina, won everything in recent years. But in Paris, Messi lived like hell. Hell. Both he and I lived in hell."
Messi and Neymar have won every title for Barca, but could not help PSG reach Champions League glory. The South American star duo were booed and mocked by PSG fans after the home team was knocked out of the Champions League over the past two years.
Neymar thinks the criticism he and Messi have to face is unfair. "We are very sad, because we tried our best to become champions, trying to make history," the 31-year-old striker emphasized. "That's why we kept playing together, so we could make history. Unfortunately, we didn't."
This summer, both parted ways with PSG. Neymar moved to Saudi Pro League's Al Hilal with a seasonal salary of $ 200 million, equivalent to the income of Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr and Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad. In six seasons with PSG, the Brazilian striker scored 118 and assisted 77 goals, won five Ligue 1, three French Cups, two French League Cups and three French Super Cups, and the runner-up of the Champions League 2019-2020.
Messi moved to PSG in 2021, winning two Ligue 1 and a French Super Cup. In an interview on AS newspaper on June 23, the Argentine star admitted it was difficult to adapt to the new environment and had a rift with PSG fans.
The relationship between Messi and PSG fans began to deteriorate from the beginning of 2023. After losing in the 1/8 round of the Champions League for the second consecutive time, a part of fans criticized Messi. The relationship between the parties was also tense after the event of Messi going to Saudi Arabia to promote tourism in early May. Messi planned this in advance, but PSG forced the players to practice right after the loss to Lorient in Ligue I. Messi posted an apology video after the trip, saying it had been postponed once and couldn't do anything else.
After his contract with PSG ended, Messi moved to Inter Miami and continuously shined. The owner of seven Golden Balls contributed 11 goals and five assists through 11 matches, helping Inter Miami win the 2023 Leagues Cup, reach the American National Cup final against Houston Dynamo on September 28 and escape the bottom of the MLS Eastern table.
