Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr has agreed to extend his current Paris Saint-Germain contract through to June 2025, the French heavyweights confirmed on Saturday. The announcement ended the annual summer of speculations of a reunion with his former club Barcelona.
Neymar joined the Parisians in a world-record €222 million transfer from the Catalan side in 2017, a deal that has transformed football economics. Ever since, media reports have claimed that Neymar ‘regrets’ his move to Paris, and that Barcelona are plotting a deal to reunite him with his friend and former teammate Lionel Messi.
Also Read | Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus defend Super League in face of UEFA threats
“I’m really pleased to continue my adventure at Paris Saint-Germain,” Neymar was quoted as saying in a statement from the club.
“I’m very happy in Paris, and proud to be part of this squad, to work with these players, a great coach and to be part of the history of this club. These are things that make me believe even more in this great project. I have grown as a person here, as a human being and as a player, too. So I am very happy to extend my contract and I hope to win many more trophies here.”
Also Read | Ligue 1: Lille strengthen lead as Lens take a 3-0 beating
The 29-year-old is, along with Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, the centrepiece of the Qatari ownership-led revolution at PSG. Since the state-owned Qatar Sports Investment’s takeover in 2011, the club has seen a massive influx of cash, helping them assemble a star-studded squad of world-class talents.
However, the Champions League has eluded Neymar, as well as PSG, so far, crashing out of this edition’s semis against Manchester City. Neymar helped the club reach its first-ever final last year, when they were beaten by eventual champions Bayern Munich.
Also Read | Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian who carried Man City to their maiden UCL finals
The Brazilian has won a total of nine major trophies in his time with the French champions, including three Ligue 1 crowns, and two Coupes de France, Coupes de La Ligue, and Trophees des Champions respectively.
