Paris Saint-Germain has expectedly leaped to the top of the Ligue 1 table in the early doors of the 2022-23 season as the capital outfit currently sits level on nineteen points with Olympique de Marseille while already finding the back of the net 25 times in just seven league fixtures.
Christophe Galtier’s men have enjoyed a similar start to their continental campaign in the opening exchanges of group play in the Champions League after dispatching both Juventus and Maccabi Haifa, setting up defining back-to-back date with joint group leaders SL Benfica that should allow either to emerge as the favorite for top spot come to the end of six matchday’s, and one of the key catalysts for PSG’s start to the season has been none other than Brazilian superstar Neymar.
With a Ligue 1-leading 8 goals while sitting second in assists with 6 and just one behind friend and clubmate Lionel Messi, the 30-year-old forward has returned to his dominant ways that many have become accustomed to seeing, but his contributions in the city of lights this term were rumored to be on the line this past summer after Neymar reportedly wanted a Paris exit amid reports that he and French international star Kylian Mbappé has a massive falling out in the dressing room that began to take its toll.
But according to PSG advisor Luis Campos, that notion could not be further from the truth when he sat down with former PSG and France international winger Jérôme Rothen on his RMC-affiliated podcast Rothen S’Enflamme.
PSG director Luis Campos: “Neymar was never close to leaving PSG. Rumours on Neymar this summer were completely fake – also, saying that Mbappé wanted Ney to be sold is another big fake news”. 🚨🇧🇷 #PSG
“Neymar is 100% part of our project”, Campos tells @Rothensenflamme. pic.twitter.com/aYxAn0QFjz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 16, 2022
Not only did Campos squash any notion that Neymar was nearing an exit from the Parc des Princes during the summer window, but he also came in to defend Mbappé regarding speculation that the Frenchman wanted Neymar to be sold on during the transfer period which was linked to rumors that the pair had severed their relationship at the club.
Additionally, Campos highlighted his excitement about what is currently being built at PSG under Galtier, who arrived at the club this summer after padding his CV with highly successful stints at fellow Ligue 1 outfits AS Saint-Étienne, LOSC Lille, and OGC Nice.
With a cadre of frustrating European campaigns under their belt since coming into financial prominence after the arrival of current owners Doha-based Qatar Sports Investments under the leadership of chairman Nasser bin Ghanim Al-Khelaifi, PSG”s Ligue 1 dominance over the last ten seasons that have included eight league titles, PSG has yet to lift the Champions League trophy regardless of the wealth of financial backing and star power it has acquired over the years.
But should Campos be taken at his word and any rumored issues be well in the past, PSG could finally be on track to change that under Galtier and would undoubtedly have Neymar to thank in part of any additional success the club may garner this season.
