Neymar Not Leaving For Madrid- PSG Boss

Paris Saint-Germain CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi again rubbished speculation that Neymar will leave for Real Madrid in the summer after PSG lost at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

The Ligue 1 leaders were beaten 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie and face a tough task to turn things around at the Parc des Princes next month.

Speaking to beIN SPORTS after the game, Al-Khelaifi said: “One hundred percent, Neymar will be a PSG player next year.”

Asked in the mixed zone whether there was any chance that the Brazil star could leave he said that was “impossible. No chance” and stressed that he was “2,000 percent” sure he would stay.

Asked the same question, Neymar told reporters: “I am under contract with PSG. I am concentrated on PSG and I am happy.”

Speaking to SFR Sport, PSG team coordinator Maxwell also said Neymar was contented and praised the team’s unity.

“We got to know each other as international teammates and we immediately established a relationship based on respect,” Maxwell said.

“He is very happy in Paris. He shows that each match through his performances and in training each day.

“The dressing room atmosphere is magnificent — they are always happy and joyful.”

Maxwell said the squad had been wounded by the jeering Neymar received from some PSG fans during the 8-0 home win over Dijon.

“Everybody was hurt,” he added. “We never want to see our supporters whistling our players, it does not matter who.

“The players represent the club and give their best for the club. The full support of the fans is needed.”

PSG are at home to Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Saturday before facing bitter rivals Marseille in both the league and the Coupe de France.

Buffon Delays Retirement

Gianluigi Buffon said he will discuss his future with Juventus president Andrea Agnelli as he considers the option of playing another season.

The 40-year-old appeared set to retire this summer following the World Cup. However, Italy’s failure to qualify appears to have led to a rethink with Buffon now contemplating extending his career for as long as he still feels good enough.

“I can’t tell lies or create any false expectations,” he told Sky Sport Italia in an interview to be broadcast this weekend, excerpts of which have been published by La Gazzetta dello Sport. “The truth is I still have to meet with the president, with whom I have a gentleman’s agreement, and we will make a definitive decision then.

“The days [after defeat to Sweden in the World Cup playoff] were difficult. I wanted to end my career at the World Cup because I think it would have been the most fitting moment to remember and honour my career. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out.”

Bowing out with World Cup victory would not only have been Buffon’s dream as FIFA president Gianni Infantino admitted that he would have liked nothing more than to pass the trophy to the goalkeeper this summer.

“I would have loved to have given the cup to Buffon,” Infantino, the Swiss-born son of Italian parents, told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “It’s sad — really sad when I think that my first World Cup at FIFA is one without Italy.”

Infantino still hopes to meet up with Buffon in the near future, adding that if he does decide to hang up his gloves this summer, he will “go in person to fetch him [to FIFA].”

Once Buffon decides to retire, another Gianluigi is set to become Italy’s No. 1 goalkeeper. AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, 18, has already acted as Buffon’s understudy in Italy’s most recent fixtures and Buffon can see him emulating his career.

“In terms of the qualities he has shown in these early stages of his career, Donnarumma is currently on everybody’s lips and he deserves to be,” Buffon said. “However, there are one or two others who are a year or two behind him and they are also good prospects.”

Source: ESPN FC