Neymar says he 'already knew' Messi was heading to Miami

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
10 Jun 2023 15:13

The Brazilian footballer says he had already talked with Messi about the latter's transfer to Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi and Neymar celebrate winning the French Champions' Trophy, on July 31, 2022 (AFP)

Brazilian football star Neymar revealed on Friday that he knew beforehand that Lionel Messi was leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami before it was officially announced.

On Wednesday, World Cup winner Messi, 35, announced he was heading to Inter Miami rather than returning to Barcelona or joining his all-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.

"I already knew it!" said Neymar, laughing, in response to a question on the YouTube channel of NBA Brazil about his reaction to the announcement of the departure of his Argentine teammate for Florida.

Neymar on Lionel Messi joining MLS 👇pic.twitter.com/3PWedBiwk1
— Ney (@Neycromancer) June 9, 2023

Neymar was in Miami on vacation and attended Game Three of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.

"I knew he would come here, we had already talked about it. I told him he would be happy in Miami," added the Brazilian, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 and then for the last two seasons at PSG.

"I'm very happy for him, and at the same time a little sad because he left," expressed Neymar, whose own future at PSG is uncertain after another ruined season due to injury.

The Brazilian footballer affirmed he was confident that Messi will help the US Major League Soccer reach new heights, saying, "It will be a much more popular league, with a lot more viewers, and everyone should benefit from it."