• PSG fans display a banner reading 'Neymar Go Away!' prior to the match between Paris Saint Germain and Nimes at the Parc des Princes. EPA
    PSG fans display a banner reading 'Neymar Go Away!' prior to the match between Paris Saint Germain and Nimes at the Parc des Princes. EPA
  • Edinson Cavani dispatches his first half penalty against Nimes. AFP
    Edinson Cavani dispatches his first half penalty against Nimes. AFP
  • Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani reacts after scoring a penalty. EPA
    Paris Saint-Germain's Edinson Cavani reacts after scoring a penalty. EPA
  • Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring from the spot. EPA
    Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring from the spot. EPA
  • PSG's Pablo Sarabia reacts after missing a chance against Nimes. AP Photo
    PSG's Pablo Sarabia reacts after missing a chance against Nimes. AP Photo
  • PSG's Kylian Mbappe, left, celebrates with his teammate Marco Verratti after scoring. AP Photo
    PSG's Kylian Mbappe, left, celebrates with his teammate Marco Verratti after scoring. AP Photo
  • Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (top) avoids Nimes' French defender Pablo Martinez. AFP
    Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (top) avoids Nimes' French defender Pablo Martinez. AFP
  • PSG's Angel Di Maria celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's third goal. AP Photo
    PSG's Angel Di Maria celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's third goal. AP Photo
  • PSG's Angel Di Maria, left, challenges for the ball with Nimes' Florian Miguel. AP Photo
    PSG's Angel Di Maria, left, challenges for the ball with Nimes' Florian Miguel. AP Photo
  • Paris Saint-Germain's German coach Thomas Tuchel (L) greets Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani at the end of the match. AFP
    Paris Saint-Germain's German coach Thomas Tuchel (L) greets Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani at the end of the match. AFP
  • Paris St Germain's Neymar and Kylian Mbappe during training on August 10. Reuters
    Paris St Germain's Neymar and Kylian Mbappe during training on August 10. Reuters

Neymar told 'go away' as PSG fans see Mbappe and Cavani start season in style


Ian Oxborrow
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Paris Saint-Germain fans made their feelings towards Brazilian star Neymar known during their opening league fixture of the season.

PSG ran out 3-0 winners against Nimes in what was a rudimentary victory for the French league champions, but much of the attention was on Neymar, who was absent from the match.

What is the situation with Neymar now?

For a start, PSG fans won't be too unhappy to see the back of him. They held up banners at the Parc des Princes during the match making it clear that his time at the club is up as far as they are concerned.

He missed Brazil's Copa America campaign during the summer through injury and the reported back to training late with PSG, although his camp claim that was a misunderstanding.

Having left him out of the squad for the Nimes fixture on Sunday, coach Thomas Tuchel told Canal+ he had "no news" on Neymar's future and that he would have to "find solutions without" him.

However, PSG sporting director Leonardo said before the match that Neymar's exit was "more advanced than before".

Where will Neymar go if he leaves PSG?

It's no big secret that he fancies a return to Barcelona, however Spanish media are reporting that he has been offered to Real Madrid.

Both clubs have spent heavily already this summer, with Barcelona bringing in Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid, and Real signing the likes of Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic.

Real have been heavily linked all summer with midfielders Paul Pogba and Christian Eriksen but both were involved with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively during the opening weekend of the English Premier League.

The world's most expensive player cost PSG €222 million (Dh913m) in 2017 and has gone on to score 51 goals in 58 games, winning five trophies in two seasons, although PSG haven't come close to claiming the biggest prize during that time - the Champions League.

The Spanish transfer window closes on Monday, September 2. The French league window closes on the same day.

How did PSG's opening league fixture pan out?

They had a helping hand from VAR in the first half as handball decision went their way after a two-minute delay. Edinson Cavani put them ahead from the penalty spot.

PSG showed few signs of struggling in Neymar's absence as Kylian Mbappe put them 2-0 ahead in the second half before the young Frenchman set up a third for Angel Di Maria.