Neymar has hit out at critics of fellow PSG forward Lionel Messi after the Argentine stole the show in Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Nantes in the Trophee des Champions.
Messi endured a tricky debut season in Paris which yielded just ten goals in 33 games, but he got the current campaign off to the perfect start with a goal and a Man of the Match award as PSG romped to the first silverware of the Christophe Galtier era.
After the game, Neymar spoke to Prime Video to warn Messi’s critics that the Argentine is just getting started.
When asked if Sunday’s performance was the start of a ‘new Messi’ at PSG, Neymar responded: “I don’t think so. I think people talk too much. They don’t know what’s going on every day, what’s going on inside.
“Leo, it’s Leo. It’s still Leo, it doesn’t change. No, he continues to make the difference. He adapts.
“It is obvious that we hope that everything goes well for the three of us, for me, for Leo, for Kylian [Mbappe]. If the three of us are well, I’m sure it’s good for the team.”
Galtier was ecstatic with the victory and took the opportunity to pay tribute to former boss Mauricio Pochettino for his work in leading PSG to the Ligue 1 title and the Trophee des Champions spot that comes with that.
“I’m obviously very happy, very happy for the players, for the work accomplished throughout this pre-season,” Galtier said after the game.
“If we are here, it is because the team were champions last season with another coach, to whom I dedicate part of this trophy, Mauricio Pochettino. It is thanks to him, so I tip my hat to Mauricio.
“It was important to bring this trophy back to Paris and I liked the way the team played throughout the match. Overall, I’m happy with the attitude of the team and I liked what the players brought.”
