Unai Emery has claimed he convinced Neymar to swap Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Neymar became the costliest footballer in the world after the Ligue 1 club activated his €222m release clause.

Most fans and pundits believed at the time that the Brazilian was desperate to step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow at the Nou Camp.

But speaking in a mildly baffling interview in this week’s France Football, ex-PSG boss Unai Emery appeared to claim responsibility for convincing Neymar to join the club in 2017.

“I always felt supported by President Nasser (Al-Khelaifi). For example, when we were on the verge of signing Neymar, it was up to me to personally explain to Ney that we were going to build the team around him,” he said.

“With such a phenomenal player, you cannot say that you already have a team in place and that he must adapt. You have to make the team for him. If you don’t, then he won’t come, that’s certain.

“The president and the board spoke about the contract. But it is the manager who must convince in terms of the on-pitch project.”