Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 5y

Neymar struggled to adapt to life in Paris after world-record PSG move

Neymar has said he struggled to adapt to life in Paris after his world record €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017.

The Brazil international scored twice in the weekend's 9-0 demolition of Guingamp, meaning he has 13 Ligue 1 goals in as many games.

Speaking to Canal+ during PSG's midseason trip to Qatar, Neymar said he now felt at home in the French capital.

"Adapting to Ligue 1 was easier than I expected -- it was more straightforward because it resembles La Liga a lot," he said.

"I had a bit of difficulty adapting to the city and I suffered a little. Now I feel at home."

Neymar also addressed ongoing speculation over his future amid links with Real Madrid, saying it was something he has dealt with since the start of his career.

"There is always speculation about me," he said. "Since I became a professional football player, there has been speculation that I was going to leave one club for another -- not always concrete.

"As soon as something is certain, rest assured I will speak with everybody."

Neymar was accused of simulation during the World Cup in Russia, but said he had been on the receiving end of some bad challenges.

"I suffered a lot of fouls during the World Cup," he said. "If you watched these moments, most of the time it was a foul. At no time was it simulation -- I suffered nothing but fouls."

He praised coach Thomas Tuchel, saying: "There is friendship with the coach, but a mutual respect at the same time. I respect him as a coach but, when you have to speak with each other, you speak.

"Since we first spoke, I have developed great affection for him. When you feel this sort of affection towards your coach, you give your life for them on the pitch."

Neymar stressed that PSG wanted to win the Champions League as soon as possible, saying "every player has dreams about that."

"We know that it is very difficult, very complicated, but we have the team to do it," he added.

"It is not easy to say what PSG is missing to go further in the Champions League. You have to grow at the right moment of the competition and that moment is now -- the knockout rounds."

Meanwhile, PSG captain Thiago Silva told TF1 his compatriot was back to his best after a difficult period with injuries.

"Neymar is a technical leader," he said. "He can make the difference for us at any minute, like Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.

"This campaign, he has come back stronger and he is already at a very high level -- I hope that he can continue like this until the end of term."

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