Barcelona lost Neymar to Ligue 1 giants PSG over the summer, with Unai Emery’s side shelling out £198million to sign him from their La Liga counterparts.
The Brazil international already looks good value for money, scoring five goals from his first six games and striking up a good partnership with Kylian Mbappe.
However, the 25-year-old made the headlines for all the wrong reasons at the weekend, clashing with team-mate Edinson Cavani over a penalty and a free kick.
And Spanish outlet Diario Gol say Lionel Messi always thought controversies would engulf Neymar once he decided to swap Catalonia for France.
Barcelona News: Lionel Messi thought Neymar would cause chaos at PSG
The two enjoyed four years together, helping Barcelona win La Liga twice and the Champions League in the process.
Many thought Messi’s form would dip with Ernesto Valverde’s side theoretically weaker without Neymar in their ranks.
Messi is reportedly unsurprised by Neymar’s appetite to cause disruption given how much he wanted to be Barcelona’s main man.
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Barcelona News: Lionel Messi expected Neymar to cause problems at PSG
GETTY
Barcelona News: PSG star Neymar clashed with Edinson Cavani at the weekend
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He was aware of how much the Brazilian wanted to overthrow him in the dressing room - despite the duo publicly insisting they got along.
Additionally, Messi is reportedly happier without his former team-mate at the club.
Without Neymar threatening to usurp him, the 30-year-old has taken La Liga by storm.
Messi already has nine goals for the campaign from just five games, and scored four as Barcelona beat Eibar 6-1 at the Nou Camp on Tuesday evening.