Lionel Messi has spoken about the transfer of his close friend and teammate Neymar from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Brazilian superstar exited the Camp Nou in the summer of 2017 for a world record transfer fee after PSG triggered his £199million release clause.
It was a transfer that rocked world football and had multiple consequences, including establishing the French club’s status among Europe’s elite and preceding a period of reckless spending by Barca.
The move split up the fearsome attacking trident of Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez while it proved to be a moment that began the process of star players leaving the club.
It was a move that has largely been shrouded in doubt and mystery with it being widely suggested that Neymar wanted the move to step out of the shadow of Messi at Camp Nou.
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A new documentary titled The Perfect Chaos has now been released on Neymar which details multiple episodes within his career including his switch to Paris.
The documentary includes multiple interviews with the superstar, his family and multiple teammates including Messi and Suarez.
Neymar's father and agent opens up about the move by claiming that Neymar’s exit from Barca was not about moving away from Messi.
Neymar da Silva said: "My son did not leave Barcelona by my will. He was in his comfort zone and wanted to get out of it.
"He had set a goal for himself and he told me I want to take that risk’.
"Neymar never wanted to be better than Messi, he was not for coming out of his shadow.
"In fact, Neymar adores Messi."
Suarez, who spent three seasons in the same attack as Neymar at the Camp Nou, revealed that he spoke to the Brazilian before he completed his move to advise him against the switch.
The Uruguayan striker claims in the documentary: "I told him what I thought as a friend and that I didn't agree."
The documentary also shows Messi explaining that he was unaware of Neymar’s motivations for leaving Camp Nou.
This is perhaps surprising as the two were very close both on and off the pitch, and remained close friends in the subsequent years.
Indeed, Messi shared a WhatsApp group with Suarez and Neymar even after the players had split up at club level.
The Argentine insisted: "I don't know exactly what the reason for the change was and he never told us either."
The move came just months after Barca’s famous 'La Remontada' against PSG in the Champions League, defeating the French club 6-1 at the Camp Nou after a 4-0 reverse scoreline in Paris.
Reflecting upon that game, Neymar explains: "I felt a unique feeling of happiness, it was one of the best days of my career, that's why I got this tattoo (points to leg): 1% luck, 99% faith."
While Neymar was probably that game’s standout performer, it was an iconic photo of Messi at the end of that match which remains the most memorable image – which fuelled speculation of the Brazilian’s motivation to leave the club.
