Brazilian forward Neymar is an “artist” and Paris Saint-Germain need to build their team around the 26-year-old if they are to get the best out of him, the Ligue 1 club’s new manager Thomas Tuchel has said.
Neymar joined the French champions from Barcelona for a record 222 million euros ($260.85 million) last August but media reports have already linked him with a move back to Spain with Real Madrid.
“I met Neymar last Sunday. It was an important meeting. He’s an artist, one of the best players in the world, a key player to help us win our matches,” said Tuchel, who last week signed a two-year deal to replace Unai Emery.
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“If we find a way to build a structure around him, so he can show all his talent on the pitch, I think we have a key player to win our games.”
Neymar has been out of action since fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot on Feb. 25 and undergoing surgery in Brazil.
{{/usCountry}}Neymar has been out of action since fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot on Feb. 25 and undergoing surgery in Brazil.
{{/usCountry}}He was, however, named in the Brazil squad for the June 14-July 15 World Cup finals in Russia.
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“I met a very friendly, very open guy for the first time,” German Tuchel added.
“We started talking about soccer and I saw a smile on his face and that is what I want to see.”