Neymar: What Messi did for me

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PSG star, Neymar, has revealed how former teammate, Lionel Messi, was there for him during his early days at Barcelona.

The two South American stars had a close relationship during their time together at Barcelona.

Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013 after the Catalan agreed a reported £48.6m deal with Brazilian club, Santos.

The Brazilian played in a front three alongside Messi and Luis Suarez.

Neymar, however, struggled in his first week at Barcelona.

He said Messi was there to give him some advice.

Neymar said, “He [ Lionel Messi] saw that I was half crying because I had not done a good first time.

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“Messi saw that I was sad and started talking to me. ‘You have to be you. Play your football and do not be intimidated’.

“Like it or not, playing with so many stars takes you back. It gives you a bit of shame.

“After talking with him I started to let go, to show my football and to have confidence.

“It was when I relaxed, I found happiness and started a very big friendship.”

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