Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo has called on Neymar to win this season’s Champions League for Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar has not played for PSG at all so far this campaign, nor did he feature during preseason, but he did make a return to action with Brazil during the most recent international break.
- Neymar’s failed PSG to Barcelona move: what really happened
– Champions League group stage: All you need to know
And despite Barcelona’s attempts to bring the Brazil international back to Camp Nou this summer, two years after he left to join PSG for a world-record €222 million, Neymar could make his comeback at home to Strasbourg in Ligue 1 this weekend.
However, will not be able to feature against Real Madrid in the opening Champions League Group A fixture next week as he is suspended for the opening half of this term’s group stage.
“Neymar, you will have to help us win,” Hidalgo told Tele Loisirs. “I love football, I love this team and I support them passionately.
“We turned the Eiffel Tower red and blue for him [Neymar] — Paris and PSG’s colours. Now, my boy, we love you lots, but we need you to tear it up so we can win the Champions League.
“There will surely be a tricky little moment with the supporters, but if Neymar can bring what we know he can, I think all will be forgiven. Neymar, we need him to come back to Earth and help the team that brought him here and that he has shone for in the past. Paris has welcomed him with open arms.”
Neymar has not played for PSG at all so far this campaign, nor did he feature during preseason, but he did make a return to action with Brazil during the international break.
The 27-year-old could make his comeback for PSG at home to Strasbourg in Ligue 1 this weekend but will not be able to feature against Real Madrid in the opening Champions League Group A fixture next week as he is suspended for the opening half of this term’s group stage.
Meanwhile, Barca forward Lionel Messi said he was not sure whether his club did all they could to land Neymar this summer.