Neymar s stunning world-record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain has shocked the football world, but it is in keeping with the French club s rich history of attracting Brazilian stars to the capital.
The 25-year-old follows ex-Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves scorer on debut in a 2-1 Trophee des Champions win over Monaco in moving to the Parc des Princes this transfer window and will link up with a number of other compatriots at PSG.
There will be a great deal of expectation on Neymar s shoulders given his eye-watering €222m fee and his already sizeable reputation as one of the world s best.
Here, we samba our way through a selection of PSG s boys from Brazil, who Neymar will attempt to surpass as the club s greatest import from the country.
LEONARDO
After spells at Flamengo, Sao Paulo, Valencia and Kashima Antlers, Leonardo flourished during a single campaign at PSG in 1996-97, later returning as director of football following the takeover by Qatar Investment Authority in 2011 to kick-start the club s recent domestic hegemony.
— Leonardo (@leo_de_araujo)
RAI
A team-mate of Leonardo s at Sao Paulo and with Brazil, Rai enjoyed a glittering five-year spell at PSG from 1993 to 1998, winning the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue. He is the Brazilian with the most PSG appearances, 215 in all competitions.
4 avril
Le coup de boule de en finale de la face aux !
— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside)
RONALDINHO
Ronaldinho is chiefly remembered for his career-best form at Barcelona from 2003 to 2008, but it was a two-year stint at PSG from 2001, encompassing Brazil s success at the 2002 World Cup, that provided him with a springboard to global stardom.
Joyeux anniversaire à Ronaldinho qui fête ses 37 ans !
matches
— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside)
THIAGO SILVA
Lured from AC Milan at great expense in 2012, and followed soon after by the capture of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the same source, centre-back Thiago Silva has since proven to be a major foundation of PSG s pre-eminence in Ligue 1, which was only interrupted by Monaco against the odds last term.
