Neymar given the number 10 shirt at Paris Saint-Germain as Javier Pastore makes way for his arrival
Pastore has agreed to vacate the number as 'a symbolic gift' to his new team-mate
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Neymar has finally completed his record-breaking £200m move to Paris Saint-Germain, and it has been revealed that the Brazilian striker will wear the number 10 shirt next season.
The striker wore the number 11 shirt at Barcelona because the number 10 was already taken by Lionel Messi, but wears 10 for the Brazil national team.
And Javier Pastore, who currently wears the number 10 shirt at PSG, has agreed to vacate the number as “a symbolic gift” to his new team-mate.
“It is a little gift to say, 'Welcome to Paris',” Pastore, who will now wear the number 27, said.
“I wanted to offer him this symbolic gift. I want him to feel happy and at home right from day one.
“And I want to offer him the support that he needs so that he and the entire squad can go on and win the Champions League.”
Neymar is targeting Champions League glory with Paris St Germain after completing a world-record transfer to the ambitious French club.
On Thursday the 25-year-old Brazil forward, whose release from Barcelona was secured for 222million euros (£200.6million) by his legal team, signed a five-year deal with PSG.
Owned by Qatar Sports Investments, the Parisians' principal target remains winning the Champions League, a competition in which they have consistently failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals.
Neymar, a Champions League winner with Barcelona in 2015, has now committed to the challenge of landing Europe's top club prize with PSG.
He told his new team's website: “I am extremely happy to join Paris Saint-Germain.
“Since I arrived in Europe, the club has always been one of the most competitive and most ambitious.
“And the biggest challenge, what most motivated me to join my new team-mates, is to help the club to conquer the titles that their fans want.
“PSG's ambition attracted me to the club, along with the passion and the energy this brings. I have played four seasons in Europe and I feel ready to take the challenge.
“From today, I will do everything I can to help my new team-mates, to open up new horizons for my club and to bring happiness to its millions of supporters around the world.”
Additional reporting by Press Association.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments