Messi Fears Neymar Could Leave Barcelona

Barcelona star Lionel Messi reportedly fears that his teammate Neymar could leave Barcelona, with Manchester United desperate to sign him this summer.

Neymar has scored just 19 goals in all competitions this campaign – his lowest compared to the past two seasons, where he scored 39 and 31 goals respectively. The 25-year-old has been outshined by Messi in the goals category this season, with the Argentinian on course to win another European Golden Shoe.

Recent reports in the Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim that the Brazilian superstar has been told by his father to join Manchester United, as he feels that Neymar will always be in Messi’s shadow if he stays at Barcelona.

The Premier League giants, who have been long linked with a move for the former Santos prodigy, are reportedly considering a £170m offer to lure him away from Nou Camp this summer.

With rumour mill buzzing about the forward’s future every day, Spanish news magazine Don Balon claims that Messi fears Neymar could be pushed towards the exit door if Ernesto Valverde takes over as Barca manager.

The Spaniard resigned from Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday after four years in charge, and is now the overwhelming favourite to be appointed as the successor of Luis Enrique.

Messi reportedly feels that Valverde’s style of play won’t suit Neymar, and as a result, United could try and snap him up if they receive any encouragement that the forward is worried about his future.

As per reports on the Brazilian website UOL Esporte, Neymar had told the club’s higher powers that he wanted Juan Carlos Unzue as the next manager of the team, but the Catalan club’s chiefs refused, and instead pressed ahead with the candidate they deemed as their No.1 choice.

With Neymar’s future at Barca being cast into doubt, Mourinho could put all his efforts to sign the Brazilian, as he bids to get United back on top in the Premier League and Europe.

 

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Written by Pragadeesh Shanmugam  

United fan since Edwin Van der Sar denied Nicolas Anelka’s penalty to earn a dramatic Euro glory. Firmly believes that Lionel Messi deserves to win the Ballon d’Or until he plays this sport. One time writer for GiveMeSport and Roar. A regular contributor to Sportskeeda and BlameFootball.