Neymar reveals why he signed new PSG deal despite ‘fights and sad times’

Emmet Gates

• Updated: 19 May 2021 14:24 BST
• 6 min read

Neymar has revealed why he decided to sign a new four-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain, despite tying times with the Ligue 1 side.

The Brazilian had been expected to renew his deal with the French side for a number of weeks – and now it has been made official.

READ MORE: How much is Neymar’s new PSG deal worth?

Speaking to PSG’s official TV channel, PSGTV, Neymar revealed why he decided to stay in the French capital for a further three years.

‘I’m very, very happy’

“I’m very happy, very happy to be extending my contract with Paris until 2025,” said Neymar.

“The truth is that I’m very happy to be staying here for four more years, to be a part of the club’s project, to try and win titles, to try and achieve our biggest dream which is the Champions League.

“So I’m happy to be staying at the club, to be a part of it and to be extending my contract.

“The first factor is happiness. The joy of being part of this squad, of the team, of Paris Saint-Germain, the club. And then, of course, the affinity I have with the club, with the work, with the players that are in the squad today, with a great coach who will certainly help us even more.

“These things make you believe in the project even more.”

Neymar reveals turbulent PSG past

Neymar also shed some light into the difficulties he’s faced at the club since signing in 2017 from Barcelona.

PSG broke the world transfer record to sign him for €222 million but not every minute of his four years with the Parisians has been plain sailing.

“I have changed a lot. I have learned a lot,” he said. “Things have happened that should not have happened.

“We had fights, a few sad times, but overall, the evolution has been very positive. I am happy, I am proud to be part of the history of Paris Saint-Germain. I think I have improved as a person, as a human being, and as a player too.”

But Neymar states that the ultimate goal is still bringing the Champions League to the city for the first time:

“Of course, my goal when I came to Paris Saint-Germain was to help get Paris Saint-Germain to the top, among the very best, and we are getting close.

“We are gaining more and more experience to help us negotiate these types of games, to know how to play in the Champions League.

“And Paris is on the right track, we are getting closer and closer to the taste of winning the Champions League. I’m sure we can do it.”

Neymar still hopes to lead PSG to Ligue 1 glory this season, but they have a four-point deficit to overturn on Lille, albeit with a game in hand.