Neymar says he wants PSG stay and hopes 'brother' Kylian Mbappe remains too

Neymar's comments come against the backdrop of disappointment after PSG's defeat by lowly Lorient on Sunday

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe during the match against Lorient at the Stade Yves-Allainmat, western France. AFP

Lorient's French goalkeeper Matthieu Dreyerfights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's forward Kylian Mbappe. AFP

The tattoo on the neck of Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar. AFP

Paris St Germain's Neymar scores their first goal from the penalty spot. Reuters

Neymar celebrates scoring their first goal. Reuters

Neymar scores their second goal from the penalty spot. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe in action against Lorient. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates with Kylian Mbappe and Maurco Icardi. AFP

Neymar talks to referee Jeremy Stinat after the 3-2 defeat to Lorient. Reuters

Neymar looks dejected after the match. Reuters

Lorient's Andrew Gravillon shoots at goal from a free kick. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Mauro Icardi reacts as Lorient's players celebrate. AFP

Lorient's Yoane Wissa celebrates scoring their second goal. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar says he wants to stay at the French champions and hopes that strike partner Kylian Mbappe will commit his long-term future to the club.

Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona in 2017 for a world record fee of €222 million ($269.26m) but has persistently been linked with a move back to Camp Nou, with stories often flamed by the Brazilian's own comments about a desire to link up once again with Lionel Messi.

Mbappe has 18 months remaining on his contract with the Ligue 1 champions, and new manager Mauricio Pochettino has played down reports the French forward could be on the move to Real Madrid.

"I'm very happy today. Things have changed a lot, I can't exactly explain why - if it's just me, or something else has changed," Neymar, whose contract expires in June 2022, told French television channel TF1.

"I have adapted. I feel calmer and I'm very happy here. I want to stay at PSG and I hope Kylian will stay, too. Of course, that's the wish of every PSG supporter ... With Kylian, we have a relationship of brothers ... We really like to play together.

"We want PSG to be a great team, and I want to continue doing what I've done every day in Paris - play football and be happy. That's the most important thing."

Neymar's comments came against the backdrop of disappointment after PSG's defeat by Lorient on Sunday.

It was the Parisians' first loss under Pochettino in the Argentine's six games in charge as relegation-threatened Lorient fought back to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory.

Neymar scored two penalties but the visitors collapsed late on at the Stade du Moustoir, as Nigerian Terem Moffi netted an injury-time winner.

PSG drop to third, one point behind Lyon, with Lille a further two points ahead after their 1-0 win over Dijon.

"We have to keep the positive aspects and move forward," said Pochettino, who succeeded Thomas Tuchel on an 18-month contract last month.

"Accidents happen in football. We have to keep working. It makes us realise that it can happen if we don't play at 100 per cent."