Neymar: PSG players don’t understand Messi
FT Desk
- 30 May 2022 13:15 BST
- 3 min read
Neymar has explained why Lionel Messi struggled so much during his first season at PSG and believes that many of his teammates “do not understand the way he plays”.
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Messi completed a shock Free Transfer to PSG last summer after he was unable to sign a new contract with Barcelona.
The Argentine legend broke virtually every record during over 20 years at Camp Nou, scoring an incredible 672 goals in 778 games.
READ MORE: How much does Lionel Messi earn and what is the football legend’s net worth?
However, Messi has been slammed by fans and the media following a disappointing first season at the Parc des Princes.
He scored just six Ligue 1 goals this past season and performed poorly as PSG were dumped out of the Champions League – capitulating from 2-0 up on aggregate to lose 3-2 to Real Madrid in the last-16.
Neymar has attempted to explain why Messi has struggled.
What did Neymar say?
"Leo has spent many years in Barcelona, it is difficult to adapt. It's hard to change teams and cities," he told Canal+.
"In addition, he does not come alone, but with his family. The language is also different. These are a lot of confusing things.
"There is also the style of play of the team, with players who do not understand the way he plays.
“So all that is detrimental. Leo, Kylian and I are players who are always judged on their performances, their statistics, their titles won, on everything. We know our responsibilities and that's why we always try to do our best."
Messi has been linked with a return to Barcelona this summer, while Neymar’s future is also under scrutiny after a disappointing campaign of his own.
The Brazilian scored just 13 goals in all competitions and none in the Champions League.
