Brazil and Barcelona’s superstar Neymar has already turned focus to the World Cup after a difficult season in his club, and is looking forward to meeting team mate Leo Messi in the summer’s competition. Speaking of the past season, Neymar took the time to defend Messi, who has been the target of a lot of criticism.
If both Brazil and Argentina manage to succeed in the World Cup, there is a chance that the two South American giants will face in the final. Neymar is fond of the idea.
“I will try to play to my best ability and he [Messi] will try to do the same”, Neymar said. “After the game, we will embrace. Of course, we had this conversation, and others of the like, in the Camp Nou locker room, and I always said that we [Brazil Argentina] will meet in the final and I would be in the winning side… But then he also said the same.”
Asked about the conversation with Messi, Neymar responded jokingly: “I told him to have all the luck in the world and make it to the final. Then lose against Brazil.”
Speaking of the past season in Barcelona, Neymar was quick to step to team mate Messi’s defense.
“In my opinion, Messi is the best player I have ever seen”, the forward stated. “I’ve never seen anything like it. If I have to say something, I’ll defend him to death. He was our solution, never the problem.”
If Brazil and Argentina are to meet in the final, the road won’t be easy for either team, and Neymar was wary of the challenge the hosts face in the group stage.
“We are in a difficult group. All teams are strong and have different footballing cultures. But we know all about them and they know all about us”, the Brazilian said.
“It will be very difficult, but not impossible. We have an excellent opportunity to reach the final and win, but we have to start well, like we did in the Confederations Cup. We need to be in our best rhythm from the first whistle.”
Asked about the possibility of protesters affecting the World Cup in Brazil, Neymar was certain that everyone would, in the end, root for the Brazilian national team.
“They have their problems and we have ours. The same happened in the Confederations Cup just a year ago. As they said, they have nothing against football. Definitely, they have their reasons, but it won’t stop them from supporting the national team.”
Ahead of his first World Cup, the player is full of excitement.
“Every football player has a dream of playing in the World Cup. For me the first chance comes in my home country. That makes the joy of playing in this competition double.”