Neymar has confirmed his U-turn at Paris Saint-Germain after issuing a statement over his future at the club.
The Brazilian superstar exited the Camp Nou in the summer of 2017 for a world record transfer fee after PSG triggered his £199million release clause. Yet two years later, Neymar was attempting to force a return to Barca amid suggestions that he was less than happy in the French capital.
It had been widely suggested that Neymar initially left the Blaugrana in order to step out of the shadow of Lionel Messi before later acknowledging that he had made a mistake. The Argentine's high-profile summer transfer to the Parc des Princes last summer saw the two – who have a close friendship away from the pitch - reunited.
Neymar has endured ups and downs in Paris but this campaign was one of his most challenging at the club. Earlier this season, the club's fans pointedly booed Messi and Neymar's every touch of the ball during their Ligue 1 clash against Bordeaux – the first match since their Champions League loss against Real Madrid.
That came a day after PSG ultras called on president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to resign following the latest European humbling for their club. The ultras have called for meaningful change in the club's board of directors, a month on from their major protest at a Ligue 1 clash in which they blasted the 'overpaid mercenaries' on their books and attacked the board, with Neymar one of those players who has borne the brunt of their frustration.
However, Neymar has looked to put to bed any questions on his future by telling OhMyGoal, as per Diario AS: "It is entirely true that I want to stay at PSG. Nobody has spoken to me about it at all. For my part, it is clear that I want to stay here in Paris."
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That marks a change in heart from the Neymar, who earlier this year, on a documentary on the Brazilian’s career explained: "When I made the decision to leave PSG, it wasn't because of a fan or a club. It's because I saw that I felt better elsewhere."
Neymar has started just 88 Ligue 1 matches for PSG since joining in 2017 – an average of fewer than 18 per season, and less than half of the available league matches. He has been beset by injury problems and fitness struggles following his switch from the Camp Nou.
