Neymar wants to avoid Barcelona in Champions League
Having won the 2014-15 tournament during his time at Barcelona, PSG forward Neymar wants to avoid his old club in the Champions League.
Published : Aug 27, 2018 21:51 IST
Neymar does not want Paris Saint-Germain to face Barcelona in the Champions League.
The Brazil superstar is yet to face his old club after becoming the world's most expensive player when he left Barca for PSG a year ago in a €222 million deal.
PSG was knocked out in the round-of-16 by Real Madrid last term, while Barca went one step further but suffered a shock exit to Roma in the quarterfinals.
Neymar was back in Barcelona for a commercial event on Monday, posting selfies with former team-mates Ivan Rakitic and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on social media.
Ahead of Friday's group stage draw, Neymar conceded he is not ready to take on Barca in the Champions League, having won the tournament with the Catalan giant in 2014-15, scoring the last goal in a 3-1 final defeat of Juventus.
"I have stayed in touch with Barca players. I have very good friends, who are also very good players. It would be very difficult to face Barca in the Champions League, I would not like it," Neymar told Mundo Deportivo.
Neymar's future has been a source of speculation ever since he left Barca, with Real Madrid denying in July it would bid for him.
The 26-year-old insists he is staying in the French capital, although he would not comment on reports PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot is a target for Barca. "I have a contract with PSG and I will be there. Rabiot leaving? I don't know, talk to him," said Neymar.