‘Neymar told me to join PSG’

Former Barcelona defender Dani Alves has revealed that Neymar told him to join Paris Saint-Germain, not vice versa.

Alves was forced to deny claims that he played a key role in bringing Neymar to PSG, and the right-back has since gone one step further by suggesting his ex-Barca teammate had his eye on the French capital for some time.

“I’m happy with my debut,” he said after a 2-0 win against Amiens in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

“Ney still hasn’t. Contrary to what people think, I’m the one who’s grateful because it was Neymar who convinced me [to come here].

“I didn’t tell him anything. I just told him to be happy. [His arrival] didn’t surprise me.

“He told me to sign for PSG, supposedly because he wanted to come here too.

“The lad has grown. It wasn’t planned, but if he convinced me then it’s because he was planning to come to, I’d say.

“Barca? Losing a player of his calibre is a blow, but that’s football. The same happens when Barca sign other good players from other teams.

“Still, it must be said that Neymar and I haven’t moved for money. We’re driven by ambition, new challenges.

“The world doesn’t end at Barcelona. We gave our all there, we bust our guts for the club and that can’t be forgotten.

“Comparisons with Figo? Figo went to Madrid, which is different.

“Neymar decided to embark on an adventure away from Barcelona and paid his clause. He’s done nothing wrong.”

Tags Dani Alves Neymar Paris Saint-Germain PSG
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