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Neymar apparently served as a father figure to a former Barcelona and PSG colleague who has showered the Brazilian with praise
RB Leipzig’s Dutch sensation Xavi Simons has opened up about his relationship with former teammate Neymar, whom he says acted as a father figure to him while the pair were colleagues.
Simons has high praise for Neymar
Simons is a highly-rated midfielder who was part of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before heading to PSG as a 16-year-old in search of more assurances of first-team opportunities.
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17:19 - 25.09.2023
Neymar's exit plan from Al-Hilal revealed
Neymar is already thinking about life outside the Saudi Pro League according to reports and he has already arranged his next destination.
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08:02 - 20.09.2023
I am disappointed - Neymar’s pregnant girlfriend Bruna Biancardi heartbroken amid fresh infidelity scandal
Neymar is in the headlines once more after being spotted frolicking with 2 mystery women at a party, months after apologizing to his pregnant girlfriend over his episodes of infidelity.
Although those opportunities rarely came, Simons has fought tooth and nail to make a name for himself outside PSG, with a superb loan spell with PSV Eindhoven earned him a move to RB Leipzig this summer.
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Despite struggling to impose himself at PSG or Barcelona, the 20-year-old is still grateful to have played at both clubs, especially as it ensured he crossed paths with Neymar.
Simons grateful for ‘father-figure’ Neymar
Simons was speaking in an interview with Sky Sports in Germany when he was asked about his role models in football, and he replied, “He [Neymar] already knew me from Barcelona and was like a father to me. I will be eternally grateful to him for that. It was a big dream to play with my idol and he’s still an important person for me.”
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23:20 - 17.09.2023
Messi struggled at PSG because of Neymar and Mbappe — Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry believes Messi's PSG spell was not a disappointment and he gave his reason.
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13:02 - 16.09.2023
Neymar Debut: Al-Hilal fans reportedly boo Saudi Arabian icon for denying Brazilian forward penalty
On the occasion of Neymar's debut in the Saudi Pro League, Al-Hilal fans were left disappointed by a Saudi Arabian legend, who denied him glory.
Simons noted his gratitude to Neymar and explained why the Brazilian’s actions moved him so much, saying, “It’s not easy to come into a big team as a young player, with your idols and great stars and Neymar has taken on this role as a father. I am very grateful to him for that.”
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Since parting in Paris, both players have taken their careers in different directions, with Simons taking up an important role at German title challengers RB Leipzig, scoring three goals and assisting four more in the Bundesliga, while Neymar sealed a lucrative summer move to join Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.
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