For the third time since playing in Paris, Neymar will return to the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium to face Real Madrid on Wednesday at 9 p.m.
This Tuesday, on the eve of the round of 16 second leg, the Brazilian appeared at a press conference just before his coach Mauricio Pochettino.
In front of the media, he displayed an enthusiastic and motivated speech.
In what state of mind are you personally?
NEYMAR.
Thank God I'm fine and I'm back.
These are times to be enjoyed.
I am focused and I will work to help the team.
I am really content and happy.
I will give it my all tomorrow.
It will take a strong mentality to make a great match.
Do you have bad memories of the first confrontation with Madrid in the Paris jersey in March 2018 when an injury deprived you of the eighth return?
I have forgotten everything !
(laughs).
Missing big games is really hard, sad.
But luckily I'm back and I feel good to help Paris.
We are ready.
We know that we have a very strong team in front of us but we are not going to give up or hide.
Has your game changed since Messi arrived?
No, I do not think so.
I play with the same legs, the same way.
Sometimes when there are high quality players you have to concentrate more.
We attack, we defend together.
Everything will have to be done together.
To win the Champions League, if we play together and as a team we can win not only the match but other things.
Real will be deprived of two suspended major players, Casemiro and Mendy...
Yes, but it won't be easy for us because Madrid have quality players.
Casemiro is the best in his position but his absence does not change anything because we will have to win the match.
It may be more difficult for them, but so much the better for us.
What will be the key to this return match?
A match between Paris and Real will always be 50-50.
For me there is no favorite because they are two very strong teams.
We have an advantage because we won 1-0 but we have to think about winning and playing even better than on the first leg.
"I'm going to play to make history"
What memories do you have of the Bernabeu?
I have a good memory.
I've played quite a few times.
I scored (Editor's note: 2 goals with Barcelona), gave assists (3).
It is a stadium with an incredible history.
Playing here is a pleasure not only for me but for all players.
Tomorrow will be a special day.
Is it even more special for you and Messi who played at Barcelona?
For Leo (Messi) and me it's a special game.
But for Sergio (Ramos) also because it was his home.
For a player who hasn't played for Barça, playing against Real is special.
We motivate ourselves.
I'm happy as I said.
I will play to make history.
How is Mbappe?
I think Kylian is fine.
This season the game of PSG appeared unbalanced.
When we align Neymar, Mbappé and Messi, is this an assumed bias?
I do not agree.
With Barcelona it was the same: we played together.
We played a very big game in the first leg and we have to repeat this kind of game.
It's your opinion but I don't agree with you.
We'll see tomorrow (Wednesday).
The final will finally take place at the Stade de France.
Is this the best year to win the Champions League?
It's true that we have a great team, a high quality workforce.
The final will be in Paris (Editor's note: Saint-Denis) and for us it's incredible.
This news gives us more desire to reach the final.
It starts tomorrow (Wednesday).