Thiago Motta says Neymar is a leader at Paris Saint-Germain, despite admitting his compatriot has lost some of his ‘joy’.
Motta, 35, hung up his boots at the weekend after playing his final game for the Ligue 1 outfit and afterwards commented on Neymar’s situation at the club.
“At times it’s true he has lost some of his enjoy at being here and I know it’s difficult as there is a lot of pressure, a lot things going on,” he told UOL Sporte.
“But Neymar has to have that joy of playing football. When he loses that it affects everyone. We depend upon his joy because when he is happy we there are a lot of possibilities to move forward.
“The confidence we have in him is enormous, not only as a player but also as a person. Neymar is a leader. He has to be himself and needs to be happy. People cannot change to become a leader as they are born that way; it’s something natural and Neymar has it.
“You know that at a difficult moment you can give him the ball and he’ll try to beat someone as many times as needed. Neymar will take responsibility for good or bad. He assumed it and he does it. Neymar has that,” he added.
