Rivaldo: "Neymar must apologize to Barcelona if he wants return"
Rivaldo has suggested Neymar may have to bow down and say sorry, aside from taking a salary cut, if wants to return to Barcelona.
Brazil legend Rivaldo says that Neymar must apologize to Barcelona and its fans if he wants a return to the Camp Nou.
Neymar’s decision to leave Barcelona for PSG two years ago did not go down well in Barcelona, where animosity still lingers in large sections of the city for the Brazilian.
But after two seasons in Paris, the 27-year-old is said to in favour of a return to the Catalan capital as speculation linking him with El Blaugrana has intensified.
However, Barcelona’s vice-president Jordi Cardoner has confirmed that the Camp Nou board are aware of Neymar’s desire to return, but said that they needed to decide if they wanted him back or not, after his unpopular exit in 2017.
And as former Barca player, Rivaldo has suggested, Neymar may have to bow down and say sorry, aside from taking a salary cut, if wants the move to happen.
“The Brazilian should apologise to the Barca fans and tell them he's realised that it is in Barcelona that he can play his best football. If he does that, the Barca fans will welcome him back,” said Rivaldo in his regular column for betfair.com.
“Neymar may need to accept a reduced salary to complete the move, but I believe it would be worth the financial sacrifice as he would probably recover his happiness on and off the pitch. Barca is where he has played his best football to date and won his most important club trophies.”
The former Brazil star also stated that Neymar’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or and the Champions League would be greatly improved if he secures a return to Camp Nou. “Sometimes you must take a step back before taking two or three forwards,” he added.
Rivaldo on Lionel Messi and Argentina
Should Neymar make the move to Barcelona, he will once again team up with Lionel Messi, who is currently found struggling in another big tournament with Argentina. The Barcelona star has lead his team through to the quarter finals of the Copa América, but only barely after beating Qatar in the final Group B game, following a draw with Paraguay and defeat to Colombia.
But Rivaldo does not write off Argentina’s chances of finding the form to go on to win the competition. Although, he believes that even if they don’t go all the way, Messi, who takes a large brunt of blame for Argentina’s shortcomings, won’t decide to retire from the national side.
“All the responsibility and focus is on Lionel Messi's shoulders. He is pressed by opponents and criticised by the Argentine media for his performances. On the upside for Argentina, they have reached the quarter-finals where they face Venezuela,” said Rivaldo.
“If Messi shows up in those big matches, Argentina could prosper. If Argentina fail to win Copa America, I don't think Messi would retire from the international game. At 32, he is still in excellent condition and is showing great character,” he added.
“The Argentinian people compare Messi's international achievements to those of Diego Maradona who a World Cup, but Messi must keep trying and believing that his day will come eventually.”