PSG: Neymar-Messi-Mbappé, the impossible dream?

"I want to play again with Lionel Messi, we have to do it next year."

It's the bomb dropped by Neymar on Wednesday, on

, after the victory of "his" PSG in Manchester (1-3).

A simple joke?

The Brazilian knows the media game too well for that.

It remains to be seen how far the 28-year-old star striker is ready to go to find the Pulga, with whom he played in Barcelona between 2013 and 2017. Under contract until 2022, he is currently negotiating an extension in Paris, this is no secret.

At least, Paris clearly wants to extend it.

Could the arrival of the 33-year-old Argentinian be a sine qua non for "Ney" to sign an extension?

It would be cavalier, especially in these times of health and economic crisis, but the former Santos is in a strong position, knowing that the capital club will certainly not want to lose him without compensation in 2022. In any case , nothing allows to say that this is the position of Neymar, but other players have already operated this kind of "blackmail".

In another discipline, it is said that the two-time NBA champion Kawhi Leonard conditioned his arrival at the LA Clippers in 2019 on the recruitment of All Star winger Paul George for example.

Otherwise, he would go ... to the Lakers.

And he won.

Exchange of courtesies

One thing is certain: Messi, free in 2021, has never hidden his affection for Neymar Jr. The two men appreciate each other, the two players too.

“I would love it if he came back,” he said again in February, for

.

In 2019, the Brazilian wanted to return to Barça.

And Paris had opened the door.

Except that President Bartomeu has never formulated more or less baroque offers.

Since then, Neymar seems happy in Paris and Bartomeu has been forced to resign.

In 2020, it was Lionel Messi who wanted to leave Catalonia.

Manchester City was cited among the favorites to host the six-time Golden Ball.

And the PSG?

“When we talk about the financial situation today, it's complicated.

But when we heard "Messi is going to leave", it tickled us ", confessed Leonardo, on

.

To see if the departure of President Bartomeu or the choice of his successor, on January 24, will make Messi change his mind about his future.

In January, he can in any case negotiate with the club of his choice. 

Otherwise, we imagine that the prospect of associating Neymar and Messi will “titillate” Leonardo and the Parisian decision-makers again.

Knowing that the two superstars will respectively touch 59.3 and 58 million euros this year according to

, between salaries and bonuses, it will not be easy to achieve this blow.

Almost impossible !

PSG is not spared by the crisis and financial fair play is still in force.

Last but not least, the priority objective of the Parisian management is to extend Kylian Mbappé, also linked to the champions of France until 2022. However, who says extension means increase, which would make a possible signing of Leo Messi even more delicate .

Especially since an extension would activate, according to various sources, a bonus of ... € 35 million provided for in his transfer from Monaco in 2017. And if the 21-year-old world champion decides to leave (Real, Liverpool) the next summer ?

As for Neymar, Paris will not take the risk of starting the 2021-22 financial year without having him affixed his signature at the bottom of a new contract.

And so far, the suspense is complete.

If Bondy's prodigy finally wanted to go away, the six-fold Golden Ball could serve as a (very) nice consolation prize, failing to represent a solution for the future.

"If he comes for free, that can be considered, but if we don't sell, we won't be able to recruit"

Carles Tusquets on Neymar

Bloodless, Barça is in any case not able to repatriate Neymar next summer, as interim president Tusquets insisted on Thursday.

“If he comes for free, that can be considered, but if we don't sell, we won't be able to recruit.

It will not be possible, unless the next president does a miracle, ”he said on

radio

.

Carles Tusquets also indicated that it would have been "economically desirable" for the club to sell Lionel Messi in the offseason!

Just last week, Barcelona announced a drop in wages.

“The players have two big paydays in January and July.

That of January has been postponed, like the stock premiums, ”Tusquets said.

A priori, it is therefore not in the Barcelona jersey that Neymar and Lionel Messi will be able to play together again.

Man.

City or the English cadors could join in the conversation.

To see if Paris has its chances, if it is economically viable and especially sporting for the vice-champion of Europe, with or without Mbappé.

In the meantime, it costs nothing to dream of a Messi / Neymar / Mbappé trio for PSG fans.

Read also

• Neymar's bomb: "I want to play again with Messi"