- Shamser Khalid
Neymar Calls Luis Suarez to Support Messi
Former Barcelona teammates Neymar and Luis Suarez came together to cheer on Lionel Messi as he made his return to the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) squad for their recent Ligue 1 encounter against Ajaccio. Despite the warm reception from his friends, Messi faced a hostile reaction from fans who booed the Argentine on his first appearance since his controversial Saudi Arabia trip.
The Parc des Princes crowd was not happy with Messi, following his unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia, and it didn’t help when PSG was knocked out of the Champions League. Paris Saint-Germain initially announced a two-match suspension on Messi, but it was later revoked and he made it into the final XI.
Neymar's Support
Neymar, who is currently sidelined due to injury, was in the stands and took a video call with his former Barca teammate, Suarez, to cheer on their friend Messi. Neymar later took to social media to share a post featuring him and Suarez on the call, with the caption: “Watching our friend [Leo Messi] together.”
Despite the negative reaction from the fans, Messi helped PSG secure a dominant 5-0 victory over Ajaccio in Ligue 1. With only three more games left to play, PSG is set to win another top-flight title this season, although they were unable to secure the European trophy once again.
MSN Relationship
The reunion of Neymar, Messi, and Suarez at the Parc des Princes brought back memories of their time together at Barcelona. The trio, famously known as the "MSN," formed one of the most formidable attacking partnerships in football history.
Suarez recently shared that he and Messi had urged Neymar not to move to PSG when he made his record-breaking transfer in 2017. The Uruguayan striker believes that had Neymar stayed at Barcelona, he would have been a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or, the prestigious individual award in football.
While Neymar's decision to join PSG was influenced by factors beyond his teammates' advice, he has made a significant impact at the French club. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to ankle surgery after contributing 18 goals and 17 assists in 29 matches.
Team and Player Status
With the current season coming to a close, rumors have started circulating about Messi's future. It is highly possible that the Argentine could leave PSG and find a new club as a free agent in the summer. Barcelona is reportedly planning to recall him, and a Saudi Arabia club has also approached him with a lucrative offer.
Meanwhile, Neymar, who has been linked with several Premier League clubs, is also facing scrutiny from fans. PSG owners are reportedly looking for new options and a new manager for the upcoming season. Roma boss Mourinho is on the radar of PSG's director of football.
Overall, the former Barca trio of Neymar, Messi, and Suarez showed their bond by supporting each other in the face of adversity. As the season draws to a close, it remains to be seen where Messi and Neymar will end up, but one thing is certain, their friendship will endure.
