Behind a well orchestrated media buzz can hide a dream and very real projects… Neymar panicked Paris and Barcelona on Wednesday after a fiery double against Manchester United, almost literally inviting Lionel Messi to join him at PSG. Beyond the fact that they only engage him, for the moment, these remarks highlight a real lobbying of the Brazilian artist.
ESPN Argentina had come to Old Trafford with a lot of ideas, questioning Neymar then Paredes on Leo Messi. “Playing with him again is what I want the most. To still take advantage of him on the ground, “responds first, all smiles Neymar, questioned on the possibility of reforming the duo. “Where would you put it?” », Relaunches the South American journalist. “I would put him in my place without any problem, I’ll take me out”, laughs Neymar before becoming serious again: “I want to play with him again, that’s for sure. Next year, we have to do it for sure. “
There is no doubt that the Brazilian evokes at this time and in this context an arrival of his ex-friend in the capital and not a return to Barça or a common future elsewhere. ESPN extends its coup with Leandro Paredes, who obviously “awaits with open arms” his compatriot: “We all want him (Editor’s note: Messi) come, but it will be his decision. “
Not just a hot stroke
After a departure from Barcelona to come out of the shadows, Neymar had attempted a U-turn in the summer of 2019. A year later, Messi wanted to leave. His privileged destination rather brought him to Manchester City, but Neymar had already joined the gesture to his desires. In addition to talking on the phone with Messi, he had, according to our information, urged Leonardo by claiming Messi in Paris, as well as the third thief of the MSN, Luis Suarez. The Parisian sports director, despite taking information from Messi’s entourage, could not respond to this request, at least for economic reasons (transfer and colossal salary).
Neymar’s envy is not just a hot shot at the microphone. In his friendly circle, he is expected to renew his request to Leonardo in the negotiations for a contract extension desired by all parties but where the Brazilian is picky about the upcoming squad. The name of Messi should appear in his list of grievances, despite the clear desire to also continue to play on the side of Mbappé, to which he is very close, and to obtain several reinforcements in other positions.
If Neymar’s desire to find his friend is intact, the situation has evolved somewhat on the planet Messi for six months. In short, he is more free contractually, but less in his mind. After the departure of his main obstacle, Josep Bartomeu, Barca’s presidential elections on January 24 are crucial. Messi is close to Xavi, member of the Victor Font project, but especially Joan Laporta, whom he has known for 20 years. A possible extension will also involve a reduction in his remuneration after the Spanish League reduced the local salary cap by 47%. “If Laporta wins, Messi will remain 100%, believes a very good connoisseur of the mysteries of Barça. And he will try to bring Neymar back, even if it seems economically impossible. “
“I think he better stay”
Already, prolonging Messi is a headache, as Laporta has just admitted on Radio Catalunya, suggesting to number 10 not to rush into his future decision: “I think it is better that he stay, at the less to be able to try to convince him. But it won’t be easy… in the club’s current situation, which makes it difficult to compete with other very powerful offers. “
“There is no money for a transfer […]. At the moment, we could not assume it ”, admitted the chairman of the board of directors Carles Tusquets when the local press reopened the door to a possible return of Neymar. The leader also slipped: “Economically speaking, I would have sold Messi this summer. “If necessary, Neymar would be ready to render service to his former club by relieving him of his icon.
