Neymar responds to shocking revelations over PSG transfer

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • 22 Nov 2023 13:57 GMT
  • 3 min read
Neymar, PSG
© ProShots/FootballTransfers

Neymar has moved to reject explosive claims made over his transfer to PSG from Barcelona in the French media.

The Brazil international’s move from Camp Nou to the Ligue 1 giants caught the eye because Les Parisiens smashed the world transfer record by meeting his €222 million release clause.

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The 31-year-old was judged a flop over his six-year stay in the French capital largely because of persistent injury problems, which have followed him to the Saudi Pro League, where he is presently laid up until the end of the season because of serious knee damage.

It has been claimed by former PSG doctor Eric Rolland, who was part of the medical team at the time Neymar signed, that the player was suffering from a stress fracture in his fifth metatarsal. PSG detected the issue in the medical preceding his arrival but elected not to operate in order to avoid unnecessary scrutiny over their decision.

Neymar with former Barcelona star Lionel Messi at PSG
© ProShots - Neymar with former Barcelona star Lionel Messi at PSG

“Maybe they should have operated on him. But sometimes these stress fractures don’t get worse and don’t require intervention,” he said.

Neymar would sustain a metatarsal fracture at the end of his first season with PSG, missing the climax of the season from February onwards. A year later, he suffered the same ailment that again saw him miss three months of action.

Although a string of issues followed him at Parc des Princes, these were the two instances of foot problems and both were caused by contact in tackles.

Neymar rejects injury claims

Sport reports that they sought to verify these claims with a source close to the player who “categorically denied the information and assured that Neymar was in perfect condition when he left Barcelona to sign for PSG”.

Neymar, meanwhile, is not expected to play again this season because of a cruciate ligament tear that he sustained in October.

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