Neymar has played an important role in Sergio Ramos’ choice for Paris Saint-Germain. The latter decided this summer to leave Real Madrid after sixteen years and move to the French capital on a free transfer. “Neymar convinced me,” Ramos says in conversation with L’Equipe.
In addition to Neymar, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG president and technical director Leonardo also influenced Ramos’ choice. “Before signing for a new club, it is always useful to talk to several players, whether Leonardo or Al-Khelaifi,” says the 35-year-old centre-back. “They all convinced me in their own way.”
A discussion between Neymar and Sergio Ramos during el Clásico in 2014.
Neymar played between 2013 and 2017 for Barcelona, the arch-rival of Real Madrid, where Ramos played during that period. In the mutual encounters between the two superpowers, Neymar and Ramos regularly quarreled, but that did not affect their personal relationship. “I’ve been talking to Neymar for six or seven years,” Ramos said. “Despite the fact that he played for Barca and I played for Real, we have always had an extraordinary friendship.”
Ramos himself won the Champions League four times with Real Madrid and ends up at PSG with a club that has never won the tournament before. “It would be historic to win the Champions League here too, at a club that is only 51 years old. And for me personally it would be great to win the tournament for the fifth time.” Ramos is also being asked about the situation of Kylian Mbappe, who has been linked with a departure from PSG due to his contract expiring next year.
Mbappe is most emphatically associated with Real Madrid. “I recommend him to stay with PSG,” said Ramos. “But I can’t decide on Kylian’s future, although I hope he stays. You have to have the best players and Kylian is one of them, just like Neymar. The three of us can do great things.”