Singapore: On the eve of his 100th international Brazilian appearance, striker Neymar spoke Wednesday about his commitment to both his country and his club, Paris-Saint Germain (PSG).
Brazil face Senegal here Thursday in a friendly game and the Brazilian federation presented Neymar with a special shirt Wednesday with the number 100 on the back instead of his customary No. 10.
“I’m happy in the national team and with my club too,” said Neymar, who tried to leave PSG this summer and return to Barcelona.
“Everyone knows what happened during the last transfer window, my initial desires, but today I’m happy and I feel comfortable in my club. The season has started well for me. I’m going to defend my club tooth and nail,” said the 27-year-old who has struggled with foot injuries during his time in Paris. “I will give 100 per cent so that we can do great things.”
The shirt was presented by Bebeto, a striker who played 75 times for Brazil, appearing in two World Cup finals, winning the first in 1994.
“I’m happy to reach this number of 100 games for Brazil,” Neymar said. “The results are very positive, even if a footballer’s life is not all about winning. There are also many disappointments, defeats. You make mistakes,” added the Talismanic striker.
Neymar has scored 61 goals in 99 games for the Selecao, making him the third highest scorer in the history of his national team. He is one behind Ronaldo but needs 16 to catch Pele.
Neymar won an Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 but has experienced many disappointments, particularly at the World Cup. In 2014, in Brazil, a back injury in the quarterfinals against Colombia prevented him from being on the field during the 1-7 semifinal debacle against Germany.
AFP
