Former Barcelona star, Neymar Jr, has opened up on how Lionel Messi helped during the early stages of his Barcelona journey.
Neymar made his professional debut with Brazilian side Santos in 2009, and helped them win their first Copa Libertadores in nearly 50 years in 2011.
The Brazilian left Santos in 2013 for a transfer to Barcelona and became part of an attacking trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, dubbed MSN.
Neymar was the joint-top goalscorer of the UEFA Champions League campaign and top goalscorer of the Copa del Rey as he helped the team win the continental treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League in his first season.
In his final season, Neymar reached 100 goals for Barcelona and set the record for most assists in a Champions League campaign.
He left the Catalan giants for PSG in 2017 for a transfer worth €222 million, making him the most expensive player ever.
“I spent the first 6 months at Barça with butterflies in my stomach. I was like… f*ck, I can’t dribble anyone, I can’t get by anyone, I’m doing everything all wrong!” he told Brazilian legend Romario.
“There was a day I was so despaired. It was going half time. I remember it until this day, it was against Athletic Bilbao, I went into the dressing room pissed at myself. I was playing so bad. I went into the washroom crying by myself thinking ‘what am I doing?’ Then knocked on the door and it was Messi.
“He asked me: why are you crying? I said nah I’m good, I’m good.
“Then Dani Alves came and Messi said: Calm down, we’re here to help you. We want you to play your best football like you did at Santos, without any pressure. If you need anything you can count on me.
“After that I become more confident. More excited to play and everything started to go well.”
