Nasser on Neymar: “It’s difficult to say goodbye to a legend of the club”

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al Khelaifi has paid tribute to Neymar (31), who has departed the club to join Saudi side Al Hilal.

Neymar joined the club six years ago from Barcelona for a world record €222m fee back in 2017. Despite the inflation of transfer fees since, that record is still yet to be beaten. He went on to play 173 times for Les Parisiens, scoring 118 goals, but despite five Ligue 1 titles during that time, he failed to win the Champions League with the club.

His departure to Al Hilal, for what L’Équipe are reporting to be an €80m fee, was confirmed on Tuesday evening. Upon the announcement of the transfer, Al Khelaifi paid a short tribute to the Brazilian international’s time at the club.

“It is naturally difficult to say goodbye to a legend of the club, which Neymar will always be. I will never forget the day he arrived at PSG, nor what he brought to the club and to our project over the course of these six years. We have lived through extraordinary times and Neymar will always be a part of our history. I want to thank him, as well as his family. We wish Neymar the best for the future and for his next adventure,” said Al Khelaifi in an official press release from the club.

Neymar’s move to Saudi Arabia means that, over the course of his career, a total of €369m has been paid to acquire his services, making him the most expensive player in history, ahead of Romelu Lukaku, who is also expected to move again this summer.