Neymar has opened up about Lionel Messi’s efforts to persuade him to remain at FC Barcelona before his record-breaking move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017.
Speaking in a recent interview, Neymar shared how Messi, one of his closest teammates during his time at the Catalan club, personally appealed to him to reconsider his decision to leave.
“Before my last week at Barcelona, Messi came to me and said, ‘Why would you leave? Here, you have everything. I will make you the best player in the world if you stay,'” Neymar revealed.
The Brazilian forward recalled how both Messi and Luis Suárez, his partners in the famous “MSN” attacking trio, emphasized the strength of their bond and their potential to achieve even more success together.
Despite their heartfelt attempts, Neymar chose to depart Camp Nou for a world-record fee of €222 million, citing a desire for a new challenge and to step out of Messi’s shadow. The move marked the end of an iconic era at Barcelona, where Neymar, Messi, and Suárez had formed one of the most prolific attacking units in football history.
Reflecting on Messi’s words, Neymar acknowledged the deep respect and admiration he holds for the Argentine legend. “He truly wanted the best for me, and his words stayed with me. But at that moment, I felt it was time for me to try something new,” Neymar explained.
Since then, Neymar and Messi reunited at PSG in 2021 before Messi moved to Inter Miami in 2023. Their mutual respect and camaraderie continue to define their relationship, as Neymar often praises Messi for his leadership and influence on and off the pitch.
