Neymar: Lionel Messi begged PSG star to stay at Barcelona – report

LIONEL MESSI reportedly promised Neymar he would do everything to help him win the Ballon d’Or before the Brazilian opted to leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Neymar stunned the footballing world by quitting Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in a huge £198million transfer earlier this month.

But, though a deal was on the cards for some time, reports are saying that Messi was desperate for the forward to remain at the Nou Camp.

Catalan newspaper Sport say that Lionel Messi, alongside Luis Suarez, met with Neymar in a bid to prevent a move to Ligue 1 from going ahead.

This supposedly took place on the evening of July 21, the night before Barcelona were due to face Juventus in the International Champions Cup.




It is said Messi told Neymar that he would do everything he could to ensure he fulfilled his childhood dream of winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award.

One of the reasons for Neymar’s move to France is that he is obsessed with the prospect of being named as the world’s best player.

Messi’s words, however, fell on deaf ears.
Sport point out how unselfish he was against Juventus, 24 hours after the meeting.

Neymar netted twice against the Italian side, taking centre stage, but Messi’s willingness to get the ball to him at every opportunity helped the Brazilian tear Massimiliano Allegri’s side apart.

Yet the deal was done and Neymar instead rejected advice from the 29-year-old to opt for a new challenge in France instead.

Source:www.express.co.uk