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Lionel Messi tells Neymar to snub Real Madrid for Man City move - huge Spanish claim
LIONEL MESSI has told Neymar to join Manchester City instead of Real Madrid, it has been claimed.
Lionel Messi has warned Neymar against joining Real Madrid
Neymar has been linked with a stunning move to the Bernabeu amid speculation he regrets his world-record switch from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
It has been suggested that Real Madrid bigwig Florentino Perez is willing to offload a number of big-name players including Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to fund a swoop for the Brazil superstar.
However, according to Don Balon, Messi has intervened in a last-ditch bid to talk Neymar out of joining Barcelona’s bitter rivals.
It is claimed that Messi wants Neymar to return to the Nou Camp but is aware that such a move is highly unlikely.
So he reportedly advised him to make the move to City.
Messi blossomed into the world’s leading player under Pep Guardiola’s management at Barcelona.
And Don Balon claim that Messi told Neymar that he can achieve his dream of winning the Balon d’Or with Guardiola as his coach.
The Barcelona icon also reportedly suggested to his pal that City are capable of challenging for Champions League honours.
The Premier League leaders are expected to strengthen in the summer, despite dominating English football this season.
Lionel Messi told Neymar to join Manchester City instead
It has been suggested that Neymar regrets joining PSG
Meanwhile, Barcelona legend Carles Puyol believes it is possible Neymar could quit PSG for Real Madrid.
“I think he could join Madrid, yes,” Puyol said. “I don’t see any problem with it.
“He’s a professional and it’s not that farfetched, but I think it’ll be difficult for him to leave PSG because they spent a lot of money on signing him.”