Neymar Jr’s time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) came to a dramatic end, and new details reveal that manager Luis Enrique played a key role in pushing the Brazilian star out. The iconic player, who arrived at PSG in 2017 for a record-breaking £200 million transfer from Barcelona, enjoyed a successful run but eventually clashed with the club’s vision.
Neymar scored 118 goals and provided 79 assists in 173 appearances for PSG. However, tensions grew during Luis Enrique’s time as manager, leading to a clear message that Neymar was no longer part of the team’s future.
After leaving PSG in 2023, Neymar joined Al-Hilal, but his time there was plagued by injuries. He eventually returned to his first club, Santos, in January 2024, where he continues to struggle
with fitness issues.
Luis Campos, PSG’s football adviser, revealed in an interview with RMC Sport that it was Luis Enrique who personally told Neymar to leave the club. Campos said, “It was Luis Enrique who sat down and said to Neymar: ‘It’s good that you’re leaving.’ He told him face-to-face. Because he thinks about football differently. He thinks about playing as a team. He thinks that the player who will play is the one who deserves it during the week in training, with total commitment. That’s what he’s looking for, and that’s what we gave him.”
This direct approach made it clear that Neymar’s individual talent wasn’t enough to fit into Enrique’s team-focused strategy.
Despite Neymar’s skills, his effort in training and commitment did not match what the coach demanded.
Neymar’s Struggles Continue at Santos
Since returning to Santos, Neymar has scored six goals and assisted three times. But his recurring injuries continue to be a major concern.
In his first Serie A game of the new campaign, Neymar left the field in tears just 34 minutes into the match, and he has missed several league games due to a hamstring problem.
World Cup Future Uncertain
Brazil’s national team manager Carlo Ancelotti also weighed in on Neymar’s situation ahead of the World Cup.
Speaking to ESPN, Ancelotti said, “We are not going to observe how Neymar plays, obviously. Everyone knows his talent. In modern football, to take advantage of his talent, the player has to be in good physical condition. If he is in his best physical condition, he will have no problems being in the national team.”
Ancelotti encouraged Neymar to prepare well, adding, “He has to play centrally, he can’t play on the outside because modern football needs forwards who have physical quality, it’s very important.”
Ancelotti believes Neymar still has the talent but must overcome his fitness challenges to remain relevant at the top level.
