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Neymar believes PSG will be unbeatable with Messi in the side
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Cian Cheesbrough
LiveScore
Neymar is looking forward to linking up with Lionel Messi once again
Neymar is looking forward to linking up with Lionel Messi once again

Neymar is relishing being reunited with old pal Lionel Messi at Paris-Saint Germain — and believes Mauricio Pochettino is the perfect man to lead the star-studded side.

Free agent Messi, 34, agreed a blockbuster move to the French capital earlier this week after leaving Barcelona, where he starred with Neymar for four years prior to the Brazilian joining PSG.

A fruitful transfer window has seen the Ligue 1 giants add former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, Euro 2020 hero Gianluigi Donnarumma and Georginio Wijnaldum to their ranks for nothing, while Achraf Hakimi arrived from Inter Milan for an initial £51.3million. 

Prior to Messi’s move being confirmed, Neymar, 29, could not hide his excitement at playing with the Argentine great once again.

He said: "It’d be a great signing for my team. We’d be unbeatable!"

Tasked with piecing together the superstar team, which also includes the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria and Marco Veratti, is head coach Pochettino.

Having failed to secure the Ligue 1 title or Champions League success after being appointed in January, Pochettino is under pressure to deliver the goods this season — but Neymar has pledged his full backing to the man in charge.

Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino
Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain head coach Mauricio Pochettino

The brazil international said: "Pochettino is a great coach and a wonderful person.

"Ever since the first day of work, he showcased his qualities and put the team in the palm of his hand.

"He asks a lot from us, both physically and mentally, and that makes us evolve professionally, day after day, practice after practice. 

"I gained another master in my career and a great friend in my life."

After some speculation, Neymar pledged his future to Les Parisiens earlier this summer, signing a new four-year deal to remain at the club until 2025.

Neymar has pledged his future to PSG until 2025
Neymar has pledged his future to PSG until 2025

PSG smashed the word transfer record when they signed Neymar in 2017 and the striker insists he is now in even better condition than when he joined. 

He added: "I believe that, physically, I’m even better than when I got to Paris for the first time.

"I’ve matured, so these four years in Paris may have had some very bad moments, like the injuries I’ve suffered, but those moments offered me times of reflection that changed me as a person and athlete. 

"I believe I’ve changed for the better."

Despite his positivity for the new season, the summer has not been without its disappointment after falling at the last hurdle against Argentina in the Copa America final.

While he was unable to secure the top prize, Neymar’s two strikes took him to 68 goals for the national team — just nine away from all-time leading scorer Pele’s tally.

Neymar has edged closer towards Pele's Brazil goalscoring record
Neymar has edged closer towards Pele's Brazil goalscoring record

Neymar said: "I never thought I’d reach Pelé’s numbers but now I’m close I’ll chase it.

"Not for personal reasons but to honour and celebrate the life and career of Pele, the greatest of them all.

"If I reach his mark, his name will be the one celebrated."

Speaking at the 2021 edition of Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five, pitting five-a-side teams from around the world against each other for a top prize, the PSG star explained how he hopes the tournament can unite people through their passion for the beautiful game. 

Global tournament Red Bull Neymar Jr's Five is back
Global tournament Red Bull Neymar Jr's Five is back

He said: "It’s amazing. There have been more than 400,000 people over the last four years, dozens of countries in the qualifiers.

"It's very cool to see more female teams and more women involved in the tournament, always at the highest level. And this is just the beginning of our journey.

"What I most want to see is everybody having fun as much as I have. It’s amazing to be able to see everybody together, after waiting for so long. Every nation united around a single passion."

Tags

NeymarLionel MessiParis Saint-GermainBrazilLigue 1Champions League
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