Lionel Messi in Miami? A thunderclap, and a surprise for many. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner was indeed expected at Barça, for a shattering return, or in Saudi Arabia, where he was offered a golden bridge unprecedented in the history of sport. Surprise? Not for everyone. "I already knew it (laughs)," jokes Neymar Jr, interviewed by the Brazilian branch of the NBA media. The 31-year-old Brazilian striker has been in Miami in recent days. There he attended the final of the North American basketball championship between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets. "Messi is one of my best friends, he's a football gift for me. I had the chance to meet him, play with him and we became friends. So I already knew he would come here, we talked about it, "said the Parisian player.
"I told him he will be very happy because of the city, the lifestyle and the opportunity to play and live in Miami. I'm sure Leo will change MLS. I think the championship will grow in popularity. Everyone will have to enjoy watching him play because, unfortunately, everything has an end. It will be very cool." All without failing to remind us that it is "sad to see him go". "Ney", who had already rubbed shoulders with the 35-year-old world champion at Barça (2013-17), went out of his way to promote his arrival in Paris in 2021. An experience that will have been beneficial neither for the club of the capital, at least sportingly speaking, nor for the main interested, who recently said that he was "not happy" at PSG. Neymar is under contract until 2027 in Paris.
