Alves: Neymar told me to join PSG before he left Barca

Former Juventus full-back Dani Alves said he was advised by fellow Brazilian Neymar to join Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.

Published : Aug 06, 2017 14:18 IST

Brazilian soccer star Neymar waves to fans at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, during his official presentation to fans ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's season opening match against Amiens. Neymar would not play in the club's season opener as the French football league did not receive the player's international transfer certificate before Friday's night deadline. The Brazil star became the most expensive player in soccer history after completing his blockbuster transfer from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($262 million) on Thursday. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
Brazilian soccer star Neymar waves to fans at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, during his official presentation to fans ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's season opening match against Amiens. Neymar would not play in the club's season opener as the French football league did not receive the player's international transfer certificate before Friday's night deadline. The Brazil star became the most expensive player in soccer history after completing his blockbuster transfer from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($262 million) on Thursday. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)
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Brazilian soccer star Neymar waves to fans at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, during his official presentation to fans ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's season opening match against Amiens. Neymar would not play in the club's season opener as the French football league did not receive the player's international transfer certificate before Friday's night deadline. The Brazil star became the most expensive player in soccer history after completing his blockbuster transfer from Barcelona for 222 million euros ($262 million) on Thursday. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Neymar's world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain seemed to be months in the making after Dani Alves said the former Barcelona forward told him to join the French champion last month.

Before Neymar's staggering €222million switch on Thursday, Alves left Italian champion Juventus for PSG in July despite interest from Manchester City.

After helping PSG open its Ligue 1 season with a 2-0 win over Amiens on Saturday, Alves said he was advised by countryman Neymar to move to Parc des Princes.

"I think people are mistaken. It is I who must thank Neymar for advising me to come here," Alves told reporters.

"It was he who asked me to come to PSG because he was ready to come, not the other way around. "

"He knew I wanted to leave Juventus. Neymar is big now. He is no longer the young boy who has arrived in Barcelona. At that point, yes, I helped Neymar and advised him to come to Barca. But not here in Paris. I have done virtually nothing."

Neymar did not make his debut against newly-promoted Amiens, though he was presented to the crowd prior to the match in the French capital.

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