Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi were part of the legendary MSN trio from FC Barcelona. We want to pay respect to the magical moments these two players created in football history, which is why we decided to collect all quotes they made about each other – starting with Neymar’s words about Messi.
In this publication, we have collected almost everything Neymar Jr. has said about Lionel Messi, in order to show the relationship between two talents from rival football nations, but players who had completely different career paths – one considered the GOAT, and the other often portrayed as someone who chose money.
We sorted all the football quotes made by Neymar about Messi from the very first to the last year:
Neymar Jr. about Lionel Messi Before Joining FC Barcelona
(2010) “Messi is the best in the world. There is no one like him.” – Interview with FIFA.
(2011) “To play against Messi is a dream. He is an idol to me.” – Pre-Club World Cup Final, Japan.
(2011) “Messi is incomparable. He is on another level.” – Post-match (Santos 0-4 Barca), Yokohama.
(2011) “I saw what Messi did today. He is the king of football.” – Globo Esporte Interview.
(2012) “The Ballon d’Or? Give it to Messi. He is the only one who deserves it every year.” – Brazilian Media Scrum.
(2012) “I am a fan of Messi. I love watching him play.” – Globo Esporte.
(2012) “Messi is my mirror. I look at him to learn how to be great.” – Santos TV “Pelado y Peludo” Interview.
(2012) “It is impossible to take the ball from him. It’s like it is glued to his foot.” – Interview with El Mundo Deportivo.
(2013) “My heart beats faster thinking about playing next to Leo.” – Pre-signing interview, Brazil.
(2013) “I’ve come to Barcelona to help Messi remain the best player in the world.” – Official Presentation at Camp Nou.
(2013) “Messi is more than an idol. He is a genius.” – First training session press conference.
While browsing all these football quotes from Neymar about Messi, I keep thinking about the fact that Brazil and Argentina are rivals on the pitch, but also in the hearts of football fans from both countries. And all those sayings like “Messi is the king of football,” when Pelé is an idol of your country… well, it’s not a smart move, but it is a brave one for Neymar.
The MSN’s Peak Era
Well, it was a phenomenal Barcelona – one of the best teams ever when we talk about attacking lines. It was even better than BBC (Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo), where physical condition was part of the DNA. If we are talking about MSN, it was a unique combination of skill, talent, and passion.
(2013) “Leo is a great person. He has helped me adapt so quickly.” – Mundo Deportivo.
(2014) “In my eyes, Messi is the number one. Always.” – Barca TV.
(2014) “Training with him is an honor. He does things I didn’t think were possible.” – Sport.es.
(2014) “Messi is the best I have ever seen. No doubt.” – Post-match against Atletico Madrid.
(2014) “Leo is the one who decides the games. He makes the difficult look routine.” – UEFA Champions League Magazine.
(2015) “The treble was possible because of Leo’s vision.” – Post-Berlin UCL Final Interview.
(2015) “I have fallen in love with how Messi plays for the team.” – UCL Magazine feature.
(2015) “Messi should win the Ballon d’Or. It’s not even a debate this year.” – Pre-Ballon d’Or Gala.
(2016) “Messi is the one who makes everything easy for the rest of us.” – Post-match, La Liga.
(2016) “He is from another planet. We are just lucky to play with him.” – Interview with AS.
(2016) “Messi doesn’t have a ceiling. He keeps getting better.” – Marca Interview.
(2016) “Messi is the best. Period. If anyone says otherwise, they are watching a different sport.” – Interview with CNN World Sport.
(2016) “When Leo is on the pitch, we feel invincible.” – Cadena SER interview.
(2017) “The comeback against PSG was Messi’s energy. He told us to believe.” – Post-Remontada interview.
(2017) “I learned everything from him. How to carry the ball, how to be calm.” – Final interview as a Barcelona player.
(2017) “Leaving Leo is the hardest part of moving.” – Farewell letter to Barcelona fans via Instagram.
Neymar Jr. on Lionel Messi while playing for PSG
Entering this era, both players – Neymar and Messi – broke many fans’ faith in modern football, as both began to think more about money than about fans. Those tears from Messi felt fake to me, because at that moment he already had everything – money, sponsorship deals, fame – so I have no idea why he was forced to leave FC Barcelona. Neymar? He had everything in Barcelona as well, but as we can see, he has had nothing like that since leaving Barcelona. So, in my view, both players made a mistake.
(2018) “I miss playing with him every single day.” – The Players’ Tribune “Letter to my Younger Self.”
(2018) “Messi is the greatest of all time. Period.” – CNN World Sport.
(2019) “Leo is a special guy. He sent me a message when I left, wishing me luck.” – Fox Sports Brazil.
(2019) “There is only one Messi. No one can replace what he does.” – France Football Magazine.
(2020) “What I want most is to play with Messi again, to enjoy him once more on the pitch.” – Post-match vs Man Utd (Champions League).
(2020) “Leo can play in any position and still be the best.” – Globo TV.
(2021) “Losing the Copa America hurts, but I am happy for my friend. He deserved this trophy.” – Post-Final Presser, Maracanã.
(2021) “I told him: ‘You have to come here’. And he did.” – PSG TV Exclusive.
(2022) “Messi is finding his rhythm. Soon the world will see the Barca Messi in Paris.” – L’Equipe.
(2022) “He is a leader who doesn’t need to shout.” – Prime Video “Sinta o Jogo.”
(2022) “Playing with Leo is like playing with a cheat code.” – Twitch.tv/Neymarjr (Gaming Session).
(2022) “Messi deserved the World Cup. Football was in debt to him.” – Post-Qatar Final message.
(2022) “The World Cup belongs to the best, and the best is Leo.” – Twitter/X post.
Neymar about Messi after leaving Paris Saint-Germain F.C
(2023) “We tried to recreate the magic, but sometimes things don’t work. But he is still the GOAT.” – Exit interview from PSG (Esporte Espetacular).
(2023) “In Paris, we lived through hell. Both of us. We were there to be champions, but it didn’t happen for many reasons.” – Interview with “Fui Clear” YouTube.
(2024) “Leo is my brother. We talk every week.” – Interview at Al-Hilal training grounds.
(2024) “I hope we (Neymar and Messi) can play together one last time before we retire.” – Short clip interview (MLS/Inter Miami rumors).
(2024) “He is the same guy I met at 21. Humble, quiet, but a beast on the pitch.” – Saudi Pro League Media Day.
(2025) “There is no debate. Messi is the greatest to ever touch the ball.” – Neymar Jr. Personal Podcast / Digital Content.
(2026) “Every time I see a video of our goals in Barcelona, I smile. Messi made my career better.” – Twitch.tv/Neymarjr (Recent stream).
