In the summertime of 2023, Paris Saint-Germain entered a brand new period below Luis Enrique. The Spanish coach was introduced in to reshape a staff that had relied for years on its superstars however had did not ship European glory. PSG’s mission would now deal with collective play, self-discipline, and younger expertise — that means that no participant, irrespective of how well-known, was untouchable. And on the heart of this transition stood Neymar.
The Brazilian ahead, as soon as the crown jewel of PSG’s record-breaking ambitions, out of the blue discovered himself on the improper facet of the brand new regime. What adopted was a blunt and decisive trade between participant and coach — one that may finally push the veteran ahead towards a Saudi Professional League transfer.
When Neymar joined the French big in 2017 from Barcelona, his $263 million switch charge made historical past because the costliest deal ever in soccer. Over six seasons, he produced 118 objectives and 79 assists in 173 appearances, profitable 5 Ligue 1 titles and numerous home trophies.
But his time in Paris was additionally marked by accidents, missed Champions League alternatives, and the fixed query of whether or not the Neymar–Messi–Mbappe trident may ship European success.
Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe
By 2023, PSG sporting director Luis Campos admitted the membership wanted a reset. “We’re going to guard PSG. We all the time wish to play nicely and win matches. With this coverage, everybody understands that the coach doesn’t give precedence based mostly on a participant’s standing or background,” he stated again then.
The assembly that modified every little thing
That reset meant troublesome conversations — and certainly one of them was with Neymar himself. Campos revealed that Luis Enrique personally spoke with the Brazilian to inform him that he was not within the membership’s plans. “It was Luis Enrique who sat down and stated to Neymar: ‘It’s good that you just’re leaving.’ He informed him face-to-face,” Campos stated in his newest RMC Sport interview.
“As a result of he thinks about soccer otherwise. He thinks about enjoying as a staff. He thinks that the participant who will play is the one who deserves it throughout the week in coaching, with whole dedication. That’s what he’s in search of, and that’s what we gave him.” These 5 phrases — “It’s good that you just’re leaving” — reportedly sealed Neymar’s destiny. Inside weeks, PSG agreed to promote him to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia for round $76 million.
Painful Saudi journey vs. PSG’s new period
Neymar’s time in Saudi Arabia was affected by misfortune. After simply seven appearances for Al-Hilal, he suffered a torn ACL and meniscus harm in his left knee, ending his season prematurely. By January 2025, Neymar had returned to his boyhood membership Santos in Brazil.
Whereas Neymar battled setbacks, PSG thrived below Luis Enrique’s new philosophy. The staff went on to win their first-ever Champions League title in 2024-25, finishing a historic home and European treble.
