‘Personal experiences’ – Luis Enrique dismisses Neymar’s PSG ‘hell’ claims about himself and Lionel Messi as Arsenal legend Robert Pires labels superstars ‘crybabies’

Luis Enrique has dismissed Neymar’s claims regarding the supposed “hell” that he and Lionel Messi experienced while at Paris Saint-Germain.

The two superstar forwards have severed ties with the reigning Ligue 1 champions in 2023. Brazil international Neymar has – six years on from his record-breaking €222 million (£190m/$240m) transfer to France – headed to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, while Argentine icon Messi is in the United States with Inter Miami.

Both were expected to help deliver elusive Champions League glory at Parc des Princes, but they failed in that quest. A demanding fanbase grew disillusioned with the efforts of Neymar and Messi in Paris, leading to them becoming targets for terrace taunts. Neymar has now claimed the pair of prominent South Americans went through “hell” before heading for the exits.

New PSG boss Luis Enrique is reluctant to be drawn into a debate regarding what Neymar and Messi put up with, with the Spaniard saying of his own stint at PSG: “These are personal experiences. I don’t want to get into that. I can tell you about my experience: I’m absolutely delighted. I feel like I’m in charge of a rather unique team with a club that trusts me 100 per cent.

”PSG have reportedly told L’Equipe that Messi and Neymar “both wanted to stay”, with the club refusing to be drawn on the “hell” comments, while former France international Robert Pires has branded the pair “crybabies”. The 1998 World Cup winner told Canal+: “I call that being crybabies. Being a professional player means withstanding the pressure. Sometimes, when you play well, you’re glad to receive praise. When you don’t, that’s part of the game.”