Is Neymar leaving PSG? Fans turn up at star's house as club condemn supporters' actions

05-04-2023
6 min read
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Paris Saint-Germain have had a busy week after incidents with both Lionel Messi and Neymar making the headlines.

Lionel Messi was first suspended by the club for two weeks after the World Cup winner took an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia for commercial reasons.

With a lot of attention already on the club, PSG fans brought increased scrutiny when they went outside Neymar's house in France to protest.

The Sporting News takes a look at the situation and Neymar's future in the French capital. 

MORE: Everything to know about Neymar

PSG fans outside Neymar's house

The ill feeling among PSG fans toward the board has been growing for a long time, largely down to their disappointing transfer decisions, management and Champions League failures.

Once the news of Messi's suspensions and pending departure hit the news, the Parisian fans headed over to Neymar's home.

They chanted for the Brazil international to 'get lost' before heading over to the club's headquarters and shouting unsavoury things about Messi.

Why are PSG fans booing Neymar?

The fans were always likely to target Neymar the most due to his mixed relationship with them. The winger has long been linked with a move away from the club and called a failure as they have not won a Champions League.

Neymar's season is already over due to an ankle injury, finishing with just 20 league appearances this campaign. Due to his injury problems, as well as suspensions, the highest number of league games he has played in a season in 22. 

On the other hand, Kylian Mbappe has a much better relationship with the fans. He went to meet the ultras earlier this season at a party, and has also score 23 times in 29 league games this year.

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MORE: When does Kylian Mbappe's PSG contract end?

How has Neymar reacted to PSG fans?

Neymar's first response to the fans came on Instagram. He uploaded a story with the caption: "Don't allow for people to put you in their storm, but put them in your peace."

He then liked a post from @ofuiclear on the same platform that took a dig at the club and the fans. It read: "The difference between being great and having greatness! PSG has lacked and is lacking, its fans have lacked and are lacking. Having history is not optional, position yourself as great and have the attitude of greatness is within reach! They were SMALL!"

Neymar also liked a few tweets with a similar message. The club released a statement defending both Neymar and Messi.

Is Neymar leaving PSG?

It would be a big surprise if the 31-year-old did not leave PSG this summer. He has been at the club for six years, but this last incident seems too much to come back from.

It has been reported that PSG are willing to listen to offers for Neymar, with Manchester United and Barcelona both said to be interested in the skillful forward.

TNT Sports Brazil posted an image of Messi and Neymar in a Barcelona shirt with the comment: "We know you were thinking the same thing right now... They were VERY happy at that time!"

Neymar contract, salary at PSG

When Neymar joined PSG in 2017, he signed a five-year contract that ran through the summer of 2022. With that initial deal running down, he signed an extension in May of 2021 that runs for four years, through the summer of 2025.

According to Football Reference, Neymar is the third-highest-paid player in the world, and the third-highest-paid player at PSG! His salary is listed as €56.36 million per year, which is a before-tax figure. Most reports credit Neymar with a €30 million annual after-tax salary.

Neymar is only behind teammates Mbappe and Messi among the highest-paid players around the globe.