Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi had the chemistry of their past at FC Barcelona to understand the other’s tendencies and strengths out on the pitch. As a result, when the 34-year-old arrived in Paris Saint-Germain over the summer, it was like getting back on a bike.
However, the adjustment for Messi came playing alongside Kylian Mbappé. The two have never played together, so there was a learning curve. Nonetheless, with the ankle injury to Neymar, it’s sped up the learning process between the two players, as L’Equipe (via Foot Mercato) reports.
The French media outlet details that the two players work a lot together behind the scenes to progress their chemistry. L’Equipe adds that Messi and Mbappé discuss their positioning on the field and their movements during training sessions.
Furthermore, it seems as though whatever they’re doing in training sessions appears to be working as this past week combined for a brace in the UEFA Champions League against Clube Brugge and Messi assisted on Mbappé’s second goal versus AS Monaco.