Neymar

PSG completed the sensational move for the Brazil forward on Thursday, a switch that has cost them €222million after they met his Camp Nou release clause.

Neymar wore number 11 at Barca with Lionel Messi occupying the 10 shirt, which is the jersey he wears for Brazil's national team.

His new club confirmed after the 25-year-old's move that will get the chance to wear 10 in Paris.

World football superstar Neymar has told his club FC Barcelona that he plans to leave, with a blockbuster move to Paris Saint-Germain seemingly imminent.

Barcelona responded shortly after his announcement on Wednesday with a statement saying the Brazil striker's €222 million (NZ$354m) release clause must be paid in full, a scenario which until recently seemed beyond the reach of any rival.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keen to pay the Brazil striker's €222million buyout clause, with reports in Neymar's homeland suggesting he is receptive about a move to Ligue 1, where he would be the league and team's biggest star.

Gerard Pique attempted to add a definitive air to the rumour's end, by posting "He's staying" along with a picture of Neymar on social media on Sunday.

However, Casemiro may well have added more fuel to the fire, by suggesting that his international colleague could find a home at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar only needed 45 minutes at MetLife Stadium to once again show what he is capable of.

The Brazil international scored a first-half brace, a neat finish followed by a spectacular individual goal in New Jersey.

Neymar dribbled past five Juve markers before finishing for his second goal as Barca dominated in Ernesto Valverde's first game in charge.

Lionel Messi was also typically impressive, but he had to play second fiddle to Neymar before Barca played a different XI in the second half.

The Ligue 1 club are apparently ready to sensationally match the €222million release clause in Neymar's contract, with reports in the Spanish media suggesting the 25-year-old has become unsettled at Barca and is keen to step out of Lionel Messi's shadow in order to enhance his Ballon d'Or prospects.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Bartomeu sought to draw a line under the developing saga and cautioned PSG that they would be in breach of UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations if they forced through a move for Neymar.

The South American trident made their mark just four minutes into a clash Luis Enrique's side would eventually lose 3-1 to old rivals Real Madrid, Suarez - making his Barca debut following a four-month ban picked up for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup - teeing up Neymar to open the scoring at Santiago Bernabeu.

Two years later, MSN are, without a shadow of a doubt, the most potent attacking force in world football.

With the help of Opta, we pick out some of the key numbers from the past two years of MSN.

 Neymar finished third behind the superstar duo last year as Barcelona team-mate Messi collected the prestigious award for the fifth time in his career.

Ronaldo is favourite to usurp the Argentine and collect his fourth gong after firing Real Madrid to Champions League glory before serving as Portugal captain during his country's triumphant Euro 2016 campaign.

The Brazil international signed a new five-year contract in June that commits him to Camp Nou until 2021, which ended months of speculation over his future.

Wagner Ribeiro, one of the forward's agents, claimed in the past week that both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain had been prepared to break the world transfer record to sign the former Santos man.

Indeed, a staggering offer from PSG included the prospect of €40million per year, tax free, as well as a private jet and a stake in a global hotel business, Ribeiro said.

A hat-trick from Lionel Messi, plus goals from Neymar, Andres Iniesta and Luis Suarez's double, gave Luis Enrique's side all three points to banish memories of Saturday's shock LaLiga defeat to Alaves.

Messi rifled in an early opener and he combined superbly with Neymar to double Barca's lead after Moussa Dembele had seen a penalty saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The forward helped Brazil to World Cup qualifying wins over Ecuador and Colombia, netting once in both games.

Neymar landed in Spain on Wednesday, just days out from Barca's encounter at home to Alaves.

Despite fatigue, the 24-year-old said he was confident of featuring for his club for the first time this season, having also led his nation to Olympic gold in Rio.

"Very glad to be home. Do I look like playing on Saturday? Sure," Neymar said.

He added: "I'm a little tired now. I need to rest and then resume training with team-mates."