Neymar sends reassuring message to PSG fans over future
By Max Cooper
Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has stated that he is ready to commit his long-term future to the Ligue 1 champions, admitting he feels 'very comfortable and at home' in the French capital.
The 29-year-old's next career move has been debated for months, and with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2022, Les Parisiens have been working hard to tie him down to a contract extension.
A move back to Barcelona has been mooted, with contrasting reports over the past few months suggesting Neymar hadn't decided what he was going to do next. But after his agent confirmed his intention to stay in Paris, the Brazilian superstar has now said after the Champions League win over Bayern Munich that doubts over him signing a new contract are 'no longer a topic'.
"The contract extension with PSG is no longer a topic," Neymar told TNT Sports Brazil. "Obviously, I feel very comfortable and like at home here. I feel happier than before."
Neymar's impending commitment will be music to the ears of PSG supporters, banishing rumours of a switch to former employers Barça or any other European giant. He has formed a deadly partnership with superstar Kylian Mbappe, and the Frenchman's own future will be next on the club's agenda.
Like his Brazilian teammate, Mbappe's contract is set to expire in 2022 and PSG are yet to agree fresh terms. The Ligue 1 giants remain hopeful that they'll be able to convince the World Cup winner to stay put, and Neymar's decision to stay in Paris will add to their confidence of building towards being a consistently major force in Europe.
Neymar and Mbappe showed their quality in PSG's progression to the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday evening, dazzling despite losing 1-0 on the evening. Their victory on away goals over current holders Bayern serves as a warning to the teams remaining in the competition, as PSG aim to go one better than last year's final defeat and lift the trophy for the first time in their history.