NEYMAR MISUNDERSTOOD AT PSG AS ALVES CALLS FOR MESSI TREATMENT

  Dani Alves feels Neymar is misunderstood at Paris Saint-Germain, believing the Brazilian star needs the same treatment as Barcelona captain Lionel Messi.

Neymar has won Ligue 1, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue and Trophee des Champions since his world-record €222million transfer from Barca in 2017.

The 27-year-old forward scored 28 goals in all competitions during his first season, while he managed 20 before suffering a foot injury in January.

Neymar has been linked with a return to LaLiga via Barca's bitter rivals Real Madrid, and PSG team-mate Alves said the Brazil captain should be treated like five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

"Here, everyone has not yet understood Neymar," Alves told RMC Sport. "When the ball is at the feet of this kind of player, there is like the scent of truffles.

"What's going on is like with Messi. Around Messi, there are other players. Here, we did not understand Neymar always gets and needs the ball and he gives you what you don't have. I give him the ball, and he does what he wants.

"Imagine I'm paying for an entrance to see a show. People need to understand, what do they want to see?

"If Messi loses the ball, we run to get it back and give it back to him [To let him] create things.

"People don't change, they get better, they take shots, they have to be smart, but they must not change the way they play, otherwise people will fall asleep. PSG has different players."

Experienced full-back Alves, meanwhile, said Ligue 1 holders PSG should heed his advice in their pursuit of Champions League glory.

PSG suffered a third consecutive last-16 exit in Europe, this time capitulating against Manchester United as they bowed out on away goals following a 3-1 second-leg loss in Paris, having won 2-0 at Old Trafford.

Alves, who has won 34 club titles since moving to Europe in 2002 – including three Champions League titles and six LaLiga crowns – said: "I know how to win.

"When I want to say something I would like to be followed. Not because I'm better than any other but because I've been there.

"When someone has been there maybe it's good to listen to them, to rely on their experience. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. I would like that when I say something, one would listen more."

The 35-year-old added that head coach Thomas Tuchel is the "best transfer made by the Paris club" since his arrival.

ARTHUR REGRETS ATTENDING NEYMAR’S BIRTHDAY PARTY

 Arthur accepts he made a mistake by attending Neymar's birthday shortly before Barcelona's Copa del Rey clash with Real Madrid.

The Brazil midfielder, Neymar's international team-mate, celebrated with the former Barca star in Paris at the start of February.

Arthur started against Madrid in the first leg of the Copa Clasico semi-final two days later but suffered a hamstring injury during the game.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Lyon, Arthur made clear his regret at going to the event.

"I think so," Arthur told a news conference when asked if he made an error. "Sometimes life has these ups and downs, I wanted to go but I'm also aware of my responsibilities.

"I knew what I was doing but if anybody was upset by that, it's a process my team-mates have helped me with a lot. I'm very grateful to the club management, who have always shown a lot of concern about me.

"It was a difficult time, but the joy came back as I've recovered from my injury. I know I have to improve a lot as a person, when I've needed help I've always received that help and I'm very happy to be here at Barca."

Neymar, who missed Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League shock exit to Manchester United due to injury, has been linked with a return to Barcelona.

But Real Madrid are also reportedly interested in the forward, with Arthur accepting Neymar could yet join Barca's rivals.

"It's an option for him that he could think about," Arthur said. "He'd need to speak to his family about it.

"As a friend I just wish him the very best. I don't know what he'll choose to do.

"Me, as a friend, all I can do is wish him the very best in the world. It's not me who signs the papers."

Barca's 0-0 draw at Lyon in the first leg gives them the advantage ahead of the return fixture at Camp Nou, but Arthur noted surprise results elsewhere in the competition will keep the LaLiga leaders on their toes.

"Madrid and PSG are big teams and they haven't qualified, the teams that beat them have played better, they deserved the win," Arthur added.

"We have to resepct the teams that are in the competition. We're focused on this game, totally focused on this game. We're expecting a lot from Lyon, we know it's going to be very hard to win."

NEYMAR’S FATHER ANGERED BY SON’S ROUGH TREATMENT

 

Neymar's father has hit out at the rough treatment his son has received on and off the field after the Paris Saint-Germain star's latest injury setback.

The Brazil forward limped out of Wednesday's Coupe de France win over Strasbourg after a strong challenge from Moataz Zemzemi.

It was later confirmed Neymar, who appeared upset as he left the pitch, had suffered a "painful recurrence" of the foot issue that sidelined him for almost three months last year.

And in a lengthy Instagram post, Neymar Santos Sr hit out at those who suggested his son was guilty of inciting players to injure him.

He recounted Colombia defender Juan Zuniga's challenge that left Neymar with a fractured bone in his back, ruling him out of the 2014 World Cup semi-finals, and added of the most recent global showpiece in Russia: "A stomp on his ankle [from Mexico's Miguel Layun] when he was out of the game.

"It was said that there was nothing and that, on the contrary, he simulated. He had VAR, he had the whole world watching, but anyway, he was considered 'guilty'."

Neymar Santos Sr also cited the Strasbourg incident to strengthen his case and said whenever his son falls, he is considered a diver and met with harsh treatment.

He added: "Can we not dribble? We do not have the right to have talent? He gets carried away!

"He believes that some in the press purposely insist on these facts to sell issues.

"As always, life goes on, football too, and service geeks, who call themselves football experts, will continue to hold polls asking if 'Neymar deserves to be sanctioned'."

He warned by way of concluding his tirade: "Be ready because, as always, he will come back stronger!"

BARCELONA REJCTS NEYMAR PHONE CALL REPORT

Barcelona have rejected a report that claimed Neymar's father has contacted the club regarding setting up a return from Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar joined PSG in a world-record deal in August 2017 but reports he has failed to settle in the French capital have been regular.

Barca captain Lionel Messi has spoken in favour of Neymar heading back to the LaLiga leaders, with reports this week claiming Neymar's father had been in touch over a possible deal.

Ernesto Valverde distanced himself from such reports and club spokesman Josep Vives said at a news conference on Tuesday there was no call from Neymar Sr to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

"In the first place, that's not the case, and Neymar left because that's what he decided, and from there we have nothing more to say," Vives told reporters.

"We never talked about players who have contracts with other clubs, at the time he decided to leave Barca, a completely legitimate decision on his part."

Barca are reportedly trying to sign an attacker during the January transfer window following the sale of Munir El Haddadi to Sevilla, while PSG's financial situation has led to suggestions Neymar could be sold.

Valverde said earlier this month that permanent deals were unlikely to be concluded by the club this month, with Jeison Murillo joining on loan from Valencia to address a defensive injury crisis.

Barca's transfer kitty could be boosted by Paulinho's loan to Guangzhou Evergrande being converted into a permanent deal, however.

Vives told reporters the Chinese Super League side have already paid the fee, reported to be €42million, to complete the transfer.

"We would like to publicly explain the details of such a beneficial operation," he added.

"But we cannot do it because we are subject to a confidentiality clause with the Chinese club.

"The agreement is magnificent, good for the player, also for the Chinese club and very good for Barcelona."