Barcelona defender Gerard Pique admits Neymar's defection to PSG hurt the locker room.

Neymar quit Barca for a world record €222m in August.

Pique told the Telegraph: "You try to do the best for your club and you also create relationships and friendships - with Neymar my relationship is really strong.

"Even though it really hurt the club when he left. As a friend, I could understand his decision and why he wanted to go to Paris. I tried to be fair to him no matter what.

"As a Barcelona fan it hurts and I understand that maybe some Barcelona fans are disappointed about how he left - but it is very difficult to find a player who stays at the same club for the whole of their career. I know Neymar wanted the Ballon d'Or so I think it is fair he left for Paris where he will be the main man."