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Agence France-Presse

Neymar wasted no time in making an impression on the field for Paris Saint-Germain, scoring on his debut in a 3-0 win at Guingamp and declaring he felt “more alive than ever”.
The Brazilian world record signing was handed a start by coach Unai Emery for the game in Brittany, two days after international clearance came through for his €222 million (HK$2.05 billion) switch from Barcelona.
The 25-year-old, at home in PSG’s all yellow change kit, played a part in the own goal scored by Jordan Ikoko that gave the away side the lead early in the second half.
He then set up the second goal for Edinson Cavani with a superb pass in behind the Guingamp defence before completing a comfortable victory with his team’s third goal eight minutes from the end as PSG made it two wins from two to start the French season.

“People think that leaving Barça is to die, but no, it’s the opposite,” Neymar said.
“I’m more alive than ever. I play, I’m very happy, and football is the same. Only the country, the city and the team change, but football is the same.”
Guingamp coach Antoine Kombouare, a former PSG player, described Neymar as a “phenomenon”.
It’s not about the money, money, money: Neymar insists price tag was not behind record Paris Saint-Germain transfer
“It’s been a long time since I have seen such a phenomenon. All his teammates want to play with him and he brings competition,” said Kombouare.
“Everyone gets more time because of him, he can accelerate and make a difference. We’re happy that we don’t have to play PSG every weekend.”

Despite the many distractions of the last couple of weeks, including trips to China, Portugal and the French Riviera and glitzy presentations to the media and PSG fans, Neymar lasted the full 90 minutes.
He had taken the place of Javier Pastore in the Paris side in the only change from last week’s 2-0 win over Amiens, completing a €350 million front three with fellow South Americans Cavani and Angel Di Maria.
Neymar was one of four Brazilians in the PSG line-up, not including Brazil-born Italy midfielder Thiago Motta, for the game played before a sell-out crowd at the 18,000-capacity Stade du Roudourou.
Neymar pays Barcelona a record €222 million for freedom to move to Paris Saint-Germain
Guingamp, a sleepy little town 500 kilometres west of Paris with a population of barely 7,000, may have been a slightly incongruous setting for such an occasion but the match was broadcast live in more than 180 countries according to his new club.
That was a sign of the interest generated worldwide by Neymar’s transfer, which Qatar-owned PSG hope will help them conquer Europe after so far coming up short in the Champions League in recent seasons.

Emery’s side are also desperate to regain the French crown after losing out to Monaco last season.
“I’m very happy. The main thing was to win. The team played well and I played well,” Neymar, speaking in Spanish, told Canal Plus, after the match.
“It is always very important to score, not just in the first game. This is a very big challenge for me as a person, but we have a great team.”
‘I love you’: Barcelona star Lionel Messi posts emotional farewell message to PSG-bound Neymar
Neymar, playing mainly as an inside left forward, threatened sporadically in the opening stages before his cross in the 35th minute found compatriot Marquinhos, who headed against the woodwork.
He then watched as a Cavani free-kick was tipped over by Karl-Johan Johnsson as the first half ended goalless.

But PSG needed just seven minutes of the second half to get the breakthrough with Neymar involved in the build-up as Ikoko tried to play the ball back to Johnsson and succeeded only in passing it into his own net.
Neymar then released Cavani with a delightful pass as the Uruguayan slotted home the second goal just after the hour mark.
All that was missing was a goal of his own and that arrived eight minutes from the end as Neymar finished from close range following a Cavani cutback.


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French Ligue 1

Neymar pulls the strings with goal and assist in perfect PSG debut: ‘I’m more alive than ever’

Neymar smashed the world transfer record with his move to Paris Saint-Germain. Photo: Reuters

epa06143213 Guingamp's Supporters hold a sign reading 'Welcome in France Neymar - may I get your shirt as my birthday present, please' during the French Ligue 1 soccer match between Guingamp (EAG) and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at the Roudourou stadium in Guingamp, France, 13 August 2017. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates during the French L1 football match Guingamp against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on August 13, 2017 at the Roudourou stadium in Guingamp, western of France. / AFP PHOTO / FRED TANNEAU

Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (down) is congratulated by Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar (up) after scoring during the French L1 football match Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs En Avant Guingamp (EAG) at the Roudourou stadium in Guingamp on August 13, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / FRED TANNEAU

epa06143162 Paris Saint Germain's Neymar (L) in action against Guingamp's Pedro Miguel Braga Rebocho (C) and Guingamp's Jeremy Sorbon (R) during the French Ligue 1 soccer match between Guingamp (EAG) and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) at the Roudourou stadium in Guingamp, France, 13 August 2017. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

It’s not about the money, money, money: Neymar insists price tag was not behind record Paris Saint-Germain transfer

Neymar at the Parc des Princes. Photo: Xinhua

(170804) -- PARIS, Aug. 4, 2017 (Xinhua) -- PSG chairman Nasser Al Khelaifi (L) and Neymar are seen during a presentation in Paris, France on Aug. 4, 2017. The Club of Paris Saint Germain held a press conference and a presentation on Friday announcing the arriving of the Brazilian player Neymar. (Xinhua/Jean-Marie Hervio)

Brazilian superstar Neymar arrives to greet supporters during his official presentation at the Parc des Princes stadium on August 4, 2017 in Paris after agreeing a five-year contract following his world record 222 million euro ($260 million) transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain's (PSG). Paris Saint-Germain have signed Brazilian forward Neymar from Barcelona for a world-record transfer fee of 222 million euros (around $264 million), more than doubling the previous record. Neymar said he came to Paris Saint-Germain for a "bigger challenge" in his first public comments since arriving in the French capital. / AFP PHOTO / Benjamin Cremel

Sport

Football

Brazilian sets up Edinson Cavani before Uruguayan returns the favour in 3-0 rout at Guingamp


Neymar

Neymar pulls the strings with goal and assist in perfect PSG debut: ‘I’m more alive than ever’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Brazilian sets up Edinson Cavani before Uruguayan returns the favour in 3-0 rout at Guingamp

Brazilian sets up Edinson Cavani before Uruguayan returns the favour in 3-0 rout at Guingamp