Gerard Pique reveals REAL reason Neymar left Nou Camp

Posted Saturday, December 16, 2017 by Express.co.uk

Gerard Pique reveals REAL reason Neymar left Nou Camp
Gerard Pique understood why Neymar wanted to leave

GERARD PIQUE understands why Neymar left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar shocked the football world when he agreed to a world record £198million move to join PSG.

It left Barcelona stunned and immediately searched for a replacement with Philippe Coutinho their ideal target.

Liverpool were unwilling to listen to offers so they turned their attention to Ousmane Dembele, who they signed for an initial club-record fee of £97m.

But the Catalan club have not been able to truly replace Neymar, despite leading La Liga.

And Pique insists he holds no grudge over the Brazil international for leaving the Nou Camp.

"You try to do the best for your club and you also create relationships and friendships - with Neymar my relationship is really strong," Pique told the Telegraph.

"Even though it really hurt the club when he left. As a friend I could understand his decision and why he wanted to go to Paris.

"I tried to be fair to him no matter what. As a Barcelona fan it hurts and I understand that maybe some Barcelona fans are disappointed about how he left.

"But it is very difficult to find a player who stays at the same club for the whole of their carer.

They need more motivation, they want to fight for new things. I know Neymar wanted the Ballon d'Or so I think it is fair he left for Paris where he will be the main star.

"If he does a good job in the Champions League and in France he has options to win the Ballon d'Or."