City
Epaper

Barcelona could have done more to bring Neymar back: Messi

By IANS | Updated: September 12, 2019 16:45 IST

Barcelona star Lionel Messi feels that the Catalan side did not go all out to bring Neymar back to the club after negotiations did not materialise with the Brazilian forward's present club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Open in App

"I would have loved Neymar to have rejoined the club," Messi was quoted by Marca as telling to Sport.

"Honestly, I don't know if Barcelona did everything possible to ensure his return. However, it is certainly true that negotiating with PSG isn't easy.

"On a sporting level, Neymar is one of the best in the world. The club would also have taken a leap in terms of the level of image rights and sponsors," the Argentine said.

Neymar cost PSG a world record 222 million euro in August 2018 when he joined the French club from Barcelona.

Asked if he had a say in Barcelona thinking to bring Neymar back, Messi said: "I never asked for the signing of Neymar. All I did was give my opinion.

"I'm not disappointed (that he didn't sign). We have a have a spectacular squad, which can compete for everything, even without Neymar."

There was a lot of talk over Neymar who hasn't had the greatest of time at PSG returning to Barcelona where he enjoyed a great partnership with Messi and Luis Suarez.

Messi was also asked about his future at the Spanish club, to which he trashed recent revelations over a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave Barcelona at the end of the season.

"This is my home and I don't want to leave. But I want to win," Messi said.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: NeymarMessiBarcelonaPSGMarca
Open in App

Related Stories

MumbaiMumbai: Video of 80-Foot Lionel Messi-Themed Mural in Sion Surfaces Ahead of His Visit for GOAT India Tour 2025

InternationalParis: 3 Injured, One Critical After Car Drives Into Crowd at Champs-Elysees During PSG Champions League Win Celebration; Video Surfaces

FootballReal Madrid vs Barcelona in Navi Mumbai: Global Football Giants Gather For Legends Faceoff

FootballKylian Mbappé's X Account Hacked: Crypto Scam Allegations and Controversial Posts on Ronaldo, Messi Uploaded

FootballPSG Star Achraf Hakimi's Wife Demands Half His Property in Divorce but Receives Nothing as Assets Are Registered Under His Mother's Name

फुटबॉल Realted Stories

FootballLionel Messi extends New Year wishes to fans, posts pictures with family

FootballDraw out for 12-team Santosh Trophy 2025-26 Final Round

FootballChelsea, head coach Enzo Maresca part ways

FootballRoberto Carlos confirms successful medical procedure; clarifies he "did not suffer heart attack"

FootballFall in Rankings, ISL Freeze, Messi GOAT tour: Indian Football's 2025 in nutshell