Despite his inability to feature in PSG’s season opener against Amiens, Neymar was showcased to Paris Saint-Germain supporters at Parc des Princes on Saturday — once the crowd finally stopped chanting his name.
French DeeJay Martin Solveig set the tone for the party mood in the French capital with a prematch treat as fans sat down patiently waiting for a glimpse of the €222 million man.
They finally got their wish just over an hour before kick-off as Neymar followed chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi onto the pitch with fireworks going off as he emerged from the players’ tunnel.
Facing multiple PSG’s Samba-themed yellow shirts, the 25-year-old declared his “disappointment” at being unable to feature against newly promoted Amiens but thanked the fans for the warmest of welcomes.
“This is magical, magnificent, I want to thank the supporters,” Neymar declared via beIN Sports France to the stadium. “I am disappointed to be ineligible today, I really wanted to [play], so it will maybe be next week instead.
“In the dressing room? I am alongside Dani Alves and Thiago Silva, once again. I hope that we are going to have a great season together.”
Neymar then completed a lap of honour and ended by throwing his shirt to the section of Ultras situated at the Auteuil end of Parc des Princes.
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