Neymar: Lionel Messi and I lived through hell at Paris Saint-Germain

Brazil star Neymar has spoken about his difficult times at Paris Saint-Germain, describing how he and teammate Lionel Messi "lived through hell" at the French club.

Neymar became the world’s most expensive player following his €222m transfer to PSG in 2017, going on to win the Ligue 1 title four times during an injury-hit spell.

When he was joined by Messi in 2021, after the Argentine left Spanish giants Barcelona, it was hoped that big-spending PSG could finally make the leap to becoming European champions for the first time in the club's history.

But even the attacking trio of Neymar, Messi and Kylian Mbappe could not inspire the team to Champions League glory as PSG were knocked out in the last-16 by Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in successive campaigns.

During the 2022/23 season, both Neymar and Messi found themselves the target of fan fury with supporters protesting outside the Brazilian's home at one point.

That incident came at the same time as Messi being suspended by the club after taking an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia when he was supposed to train with his team following a 3-1 defeat at home to Lorient. He was jeered by PSG fans on his return to action.

After the season was over, both players had left the French capital – Messi for Major League Socccer club Inter Miami and Neymar to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

In an interview with Globo, given in June but aired on Sunday, Neymar was asked about how he felt seeing his old Barcelona teammate lift the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar.

"I was very happy for the year he had, but at the same time very sad, because he lived both sides of the coin," said the 31-year-old, who has yet to appear for Al Hilal as he recovers from injury.

"He went to heaven with