This archive report was first published on 6 September 2019.
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian star Neymar has been given a stark warning by La Liga president Javier Tebas: he may have to retire at the French club unless he makes a significant change.
As the 27-year-old struggles to make an appearance this season for the French champions, Tebas has reiterated his stance that Neymar's return to the Spanish top flight is 'not essential'.
Speaking at the Soccerex Europe congress, Tebas said: "It is always important to have good assets to increase [La Liga's] value, but he is not essential."
He added: "If Neymar comes, good. If Neymar doesn't come, I don't see it as essential, because we continue to grow."
However, Tebas also made it clear that Neymar's high wage demands and claims are a major obstacle to his return to Barcelona, which he left for PSG in a highly publicized transfer deal.
"The problem of not coming back now [to Barcelona] has to do with his own departure to PSG," Tebas said. "It was an off-market transfer, it was only possible to happen with 'traps' to increase sponsorships."
He concluded: "In view of the market, Neymar will retire at PSG unless he lowers his salary and also his PSG claims."
