The football world public might begin to recognize the name Neymar Jr when he played with FC Santos. His ability was increasingly visible when Neymar defended Santos against FC Barcelona in the 2011 Inter-Club World Cup Final which took place in Yokohama, Japan. At that time, the match was broadcasted on many television stations in the world.
Then in two years later, precisely in the summer of 2013, Barcelona brought Neymar who was still 21 years old at that time from Santos at a fairly expensive price.
Neymar admitted that he experienced some difficult moments during his first day in Barcelona and there was one match where he felt like crying because nothing he tried on the pitch was successful. Neymar felt frustrated and upset about his situation.
His confession was revealed by himself in an interview with the Brazilian TV show “Altas Horas” in 2018 after one year leaving Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain.
When he was asked about Barcelona, Neymar shed tears. He remembered his memories at the Catalan club. This Brazilian national team star cried while remembering Lionel Messi’s words when he had just arrived from Santos.
This 27-year-old has also revealed how his special bond with Lionel Messi helped him get through tough times in his early period in Barcelona.
Neymar explained how his conversation with Messi in the dressing room made him cry which later became a turning point in his extraordinary career.
“To be honest, this is difficult, it is very difficult for me to comment on Messi because it is such very special memories for me when I was in Barcelona,” said Neymar (quoted from the US page).
“I tell the story all the time to my family, to my friends. He helped me a lot professionally, of course, but also personally. ” Said Neymar (Quoted from Givemesport)
Neymar then explained how the Argentine national team striker supported him when he was in poor condition early in his career with La Blaugrana.
“When I needed support from everyone on the team, the best person in the world came to me, held my hand and said to me ‘come here, you have to be yourself, you have to be happy, you have to be the same person as when you were at FC Santos, don’t be shy, don’t be afraid of me or anyone, I’m here to help you.” Said Neymar (Quoted from the Metro page)
“You came a little timid, afraid of making mistakes, playing your game a little more complicated. He (Messi) gave me his support, he told me after the first round of a match,” (Quoted from the Metro page)
Neymar even admitted that he felt calmer after receiving advice and soothing statements from the superstar who born in the Rosary.
“I cried in the dressing room, I could not play football, nobody came, that’s when I stopped and thought … If Leo told me this, why not? That’s where I felt most calm when we started to become friends. ” (Quoted from Metro).
Since then, Neymar claimed that he began to befriend Lionel Messi.
“Since that day, I have had a great friendship with Messi,” Neymar said. (Quoted from Givemesport)
Neymar and Messi’s collaboration in Barcelona was established from 2013 to 2017. Their four-year together produced a total of eight trophies, including the treble winner in the 2014/2015 season.
Together with Barca Neymar posted 105 goals in 186 appearances in all competitions. Please note that in his first season at Camp Neymar only scored 15 goals in 41 matches.
Neymar went to PSG in the summer of 2017. Messi released his best friend’s departure by uploading on his personal Instagram @leomessi.
The video shows the togetherness of Messi and Neymar which has been established since 2013. The moment with Neymar when practicing, playing, celebrating and lifting the trophy together as shown by La Pulga. Do not forget Messi gave a caption on the video.
“It’s been great having been with you for so many years with my friend, Neymar Jr. I wish you success in the new stage of your life,” wrote Messi.
It was acceptable that Messi felt like losing Neymar at that time. Together with Luis Suarez, Messi and Neymar were known as the MSN trio which could be considered as the best trio of Barcelona’s attackers.
