Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian forward Neymar trains with team-mates during their Winter Training Camp at the Aspire training pitch in Doha yesterday. Picture: Baher Amin
Hailing world class facilities in Qatar, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) stars who arrived in Doha yesterday for the club’s three-day Winter Tour, backed Qatar to host an ‘excellent’ FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Neymar,25, who was just around 15 years old when he first visited Qatar, said the country’s preparations for the World Cup are well ahead. “I visited Qatar first in 2006-07 and every time I come here I see improvement,” said the Brazilian superstar.
“The facilities in Qatar including the ones at Aspire are amazing. Qatar is doing very well to prepare for the World Cup and I am confident the country will host an excellent World Cup,” he said.
“Aspire Academy is an example for the world. There support for upcoming athletes is commending,” he added.
Neymar’s PSG team-mates, Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani and French prodigy Kylian Mbappe also echoed Neymar’s comments hoping Qatar 2022 to be a FIFA blockbuster event.
PSG took a six-hour flight to Doha soon after their 3-1 win over Caen in Ligue 1 on Wednesday, but there were no signs of tiredness as die-hard fans of the Qatari-owned club greeted their stars at Aspire training pitch where they trained for a couple of hours.
Neymar, the world’s most expensive player, was centre of attention as fans who came in huge numbers were itching to catch a glimpse of the Brazilian superstar. The fans also relished to see Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani and French prodigy Kylian Mbappe in action at the Aspire pitch along with other stars.
