The football world has been rocked by the recent comments of former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Neymar Jr., who claimed in an interview with Globo Esporte that the current PSG team is much stronger than the one from the days of the legendary trio he formed with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. In this statement, Neymar reserved special praise for 19-year-old attacking midfielder Désiré Doué, saying: “His skills are even better than mine.” He also confidently predicted that PSG would win the 2025 Champions League, a statement that inflamed Parisian fans.
Neymar, who played for PSG from 2017 to 2023, scoring 118 goals in 173 games, is well aware of the club’s potential. Under his leadership, alongside Messi and Mbappé, PSG dominated Ligue 1 but never managed to conquer the Champions League, notably falling short in the 2020 final against Bayern Munich. Today, with a rejuvenated squad under Luis Enrique, Neymar sees a more balanced and dynamic PSG. According to Le Parisien, the attack led by Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola, combined with a solid defense led by Nuno Mendes, has impressed Neymar, who is following the matches from Saudi Arabia, where he plays for Al-Hilal.
Neymar’s spotlighted player, Désiré Doué, has become a revelation. With eight goals and 12 assists this season, according to Sofascore, Doué has attracted the attention of major clubs, including Manchester City, who have offered £200 million for him. Posts on X by @PSGFanClub are praising Neymar, with some already comparing Doué to icons like Ronaldinho. In his interview, Neymar highlighted Doué’s creativity, speed, and maturity, predicting that he will become “the best player in the world within two years.”
This statement comes as PSG are in impressive form, remaining undefeated in Ligue 1 and qualifying for the Champions League final. Fans, via accounts like @ParisienVN on X, are galvanized by Neymar’s confidence, seeing it as a sign that the club is on the right track. However, some analysts, such as Pierre Ménès on Canal+, are tempering the enthusiasm, pointing out that the pressure in a Champions League final can be overwhelming, even for such a talented team.
Neymar’s prediction and praise for Doué have also rekindled speculation about the Brazilian striker’s possible return to PSG. Although he is under contract with Al-Hilal until 2026, Neymar has not ruled out the possibility, according to ESPN Brasil. For now, his comments are boosting PSG’s confidence as the crucial matches approach. If Doué continues to shine and PSG lift the European trophy, Neymar’s words could prove prophetic, marking a historic turning point for the Parisian club.
