Neymar Shines On Psg Debut, Says He’s More Alive Than Ever’

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Neymar got his Paris Saint-Germain career off to a flying start by scoring on his debut in a 3-0 win at Guingamp on Sunday and declaring himself to be “feeling more alive than ever”.

Handed a start by coach Unai Emery for the game in Brittany, the Brazilian world record signing was at home in PSG’s all yellow change kit on the night his former side Barca fell to Clasico rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.

Guingamp, a sleepy little town 500 kilometres west of Paris may have been a slightly incongruous setting for Neymar’s debut, but the match was broadcast live in more than 180 countries in a sign of the interest generated worldwide by the transfer.

Neymar, playing mainly as an inside left, threatened sporadically in the opening stages before his cross in the 35th minute found compatriot Marquinhos, who headed against the woodwork.

However, the Parisians needed just seven minutes of the second half to get the breakthrough with Neymar involved in the build-up as Ikoko – a former PSG player – 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 on an impressive debut was a goal of his own and that arrived eight minutes from the end as Neymar finished from close range following a Cavani cutback.

“People think that leaving Barca is to die, but no, it’s the opposite,” Neymar told reporters post-match.

“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.”

PSG, desperate to dethrone reigning champions AS Monaco, are one of five teams with maximum pints after two games.