Neymar and Lionel Messi have a close partnership, going back to their time at FC Barcelona. An Argentine journalist Ariel Senosiain sheds light on their relationship during an interview with UOL Esporte to promote his book “Messi: The Complete Genius”
According to Senosiain, Messi “always wanted the company” of Neymar on the pitch and made this request to the Barcelona board before the 30-year-old eventually left the Spanish club for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Furthermore, the journalist states that every time the Barcelona board asked the Argentine about improving the squad, Messi wanted Neymar back at the Camp Nou. Now that nearly came close in 2019 when there were reports about a deal that would send Neymar back.
“One demonstration of this [that Messi always wanted to partner with Neymar] is that he usually doesn’t respond to coaches and managers who ask for his opinions so as not to take responsibility, but every time Barcelona asked him something about reinforcements, players,” Senosiain said.
“He said they had to rehire Neymar. That they had to buy him back, even losing money. For Messi, the way for Barcelona to win the Champions League again was to join them, before with Suárez too.”
Senosiain adds Messi “did not want” Neymar to leave Barcelona to play for PSG five years ago. However, when they talked, the Argentine understood the reasons and intentions of the transfer but warned that England would be a better destination to be the best in the world.
Nonetheless, Messi ended up joining his former teammate at PSG when the 34-year-old’s contract expired, and Barcelona could not fit him and be wage compliant with the rules set by La Liga. Both hope they’ll have better club success in 2022-23 after a disappointing 2021-22 season.
