Wagner Ribeiro Revealed: How Messi ensured Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013

Messi and Neymer

Lionel Messi is a Barcelona legend for many reasons, and he even helped the club sign Neymar back in 2013, when the Brazilian was still emerging at Santos.

During their time together at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, the pair became great friends on and off the pitch and now continue their relationship at Paris Saint-Germain.

Despite Neymar’s controversial departure from Barcelona, ​​he and Messi continued to be close, and there were even references to him trying to convince the Argentine to move to the French capital long before his move.

Now, according to Neymar’s former agent, it has been revealed just how hard Messi tried to bring Neymar to Camp Nou in the first place.

Messi pushed for Neymar signing

Wagner Ribeiro, Neymar’s former agent, said: “He [Messi] wanted Neymar, he made many proposals, and so did Barcelona. Whenever Madrid made a proposal, Barcelona covered it.

“Madrid withdrew from the bid when there was a conversation with Messi to sign for Barça, Messi was essential for the signing,” Ribeiro added later on.

Ribiero has worked with Neymar since 2006 and took him to Madrid in to train with Real Madrid for nearly three weeks, before being involved in the transfer of his image rights, which has now caused controversy.

Later on, Ribiero also denied any rumours that Neymar had agreed a deal to

move to Real Madrid in 2011, and that his agreement with Barcelona in 2013 was the only one made.

Together, Messi and Neymar were successful for four years, winning the treble in 2015, as well as another league title in 2016.

They have continued that positive relationship at PSG since Messi moved there in 2021 and have already won Ligue 1 once, with the aim of bringing the Champions League to the French capital for the first time ever.

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