Saint-Germain-en-Laye (AFP)
A step closer to the end ... The superstar Neymar was not convened Saturday for the resumption of Ligue 1 by Paris SG who conceded "more advanced" discussions for his departure.
Did the 27-year-old Brazilian wear the blue and red jersey for the last time on May 11 in Angers? Injured for the friendly matches, then suspended for the Champions Trophy, the awesome striker will this time dodge the return to the Parc des Princes, Sunday against Nimes.
The new sports director Leonardo, in the forefront of the case, has justified this decision, eagerly awaited, to protect the group for the Championship that begins.
"We're going to manage those moments, it's important to define a future for everyone, we want to start the season, and stay focused on the game, the rest is discussions," said the manager. Brazilian.
Coach Thomas Tuchel, later in a press conference, spoke about the physical condition of his nugget that does not allow him to regain the competition.
"He's in an individual training phase, + in and out + with the team, he's back after an injury (at ankle), he took a shot the day before yesterday (Thursday). today (Saturday) He did not do a full week with the team, so he does not have the ability to play for us tomorrow (Sunday), that's the only thing I'm talking about with him, "said the German technician, who evacuated questions about the future of Neymar.
But the situation is now clear: the PSG has registered the desire to start its jewel. This is the hardest part that is currently played for Parisians, that of finding him a base, a club able to afford the most expensive player on the planet, bought EUR 222 million in 2017.
- Barça vs Real -
"More advanced" discussions exist, Leonardo said, without mentioning any interlocutor. "But the PSG is not yet ready to agree," continued the one who is known to be hard in business.
FC Barcelona, where Neymar won the Champions League in 2015, would be the ideal destination for those who remained close to Lionel Messi, but the press evoked on Friday an interest of Real Madrid, ready to "bid" against his rival Catalan .
Until September 2, the closing day of the transfer window, the telenovela of the summer may still hold the world of football, which has been feeding rumors for weeks about the situation of the prodigy.
After the episode of the delayed return of the player in July, relations had, it seems, relaxed with his employer during the promotional tour in China, where the N.10 has resumed collective training by doing the show, all smiles, in front of the press.
His team-mate Kylian Mbappé also said that the Brazilian "stays" for at least another year.
But, like the skies of Paris this week, the thinning was short-lived. As his friend Dani Alves left the capital this summer to join Sao Paulo, and the goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, close to the Brazilians, who committed Wednesday for Frankfurt, Neymar leaves no doubt about his future, which is emerging far from the capital.
He will not face Sunday the Parisian public, some of which did not appreciate his words, in July, on the remontada: "one of his best memories". Supporters will still be able to applaud Kylian Mbappé or Edinson Cavani, two of their favorites, who will now have to carry the ambitious PSG project on their shoulders.
© 2019 AFP