Neymar's Messi reunion talk clear sign of PSG plans, says Rivaldo
Rivaldo says that Neymar's recent comments about a possible reunion with Messi clearly indicate that PSG plan to try to sign the Barcelona captain.
Following PSG’s win at Manchester United on Wednesday, Neymar explicitly expressed his desire to play with Lionel Messi again and stated a reunion between the pair must happen next season. What the Brazilian did not make clear was whether he was referring to a reunion at PSG or Barcelona.
But according to Brazil and Barcelona legend Rivaldo, Neymar’s comments clearly suggest that he knows something about PSG’s intentions to sign Messi in the summer.
"When Neymar says he wants to play with Messi again, he must know something about the possibility of PSG signing Leo. And honestly, it would be great to see them play together again, even if it is at PSG," said Rivaldo in his regular column for Betfair.
"I don't think Neymar would say that just to say it. Surely, he knows something from the side of the PSG bosses about negotiations or conversations with Messi. Messi and Neymar are friends and talk a lot. So Neymar knows perfectly that Messi’s contract is running out and I think he is putting pressure on PSG to sign Leo for next season.”
"It is the ideal moment for PSG to try. Because they would not have to negotiate or pay a transfer to Barcelona and they have their friend Neymar as a hook. If the two get together again, they can fight to win another Champions League together. Let’s wait, but I do see it as a possibility.”
Messi could prompt Mbappé to stay at PSG - Rivaldo
Rivaldo also believes that Messi's move to PSG may not force Kylian Mbappé's exit from Paris, as has been reported, but could instead prompt the French star to stay at Parc des Princes.
"Much is said about Mbappé pushing to go to Real Madrid, but with this new opportunity to play alongside Messi, who knows, he might prefer to stay a little longer in Paris," said Rivaldo.
"If PSG manages to bring Neymar, Messi and Mbappé together in the same team, they will have a great trident to be favorites in all competitions, especially the Champions League. Taking into account the enormous financial potential of PSG, I do think that there is a serious possibility that they can put this amazing trio together.”
Rivaldo on Laporta’s Barcelona presidential candidacy
Rivaldo also praised the manner in which Joan Laporta, the former president of Barcelona (2003 and 2010), has put himself forward as a candidate for the presidential elections in January.
"First of all, I have to say that, undoubtedly, he seems like a great candidate to be president. And he has had the correct attitude when presenting himself. He has said that Messi will at least give Barcelona the opportunity to speak, but he has not made any incredible promise that is very difficult to fulfill afterwards. He has not gone crazy, but is thinking about the future of the club.”
Despite Messi being seemingly a happier figure at Barcelona these days following the resignation of former president Josep Bartomeu, Rivaldo does not believe Laporta will be able to convince the captain to stay at Barcelona.
"But the thing is that Messi's situation with Barcelona has cooled down a lot after everything that happened at the end of last season. But I've said it before: I think Messi is already thinking about new challenges. It will be hard to assimilate, but It looks like it will be his last season at Camp Nou,” said the 1999 Ballon d’Or winner.
Zidane must be careful at Real Madrid
Rivaldo looked at the current situation of Real Madrid following their defeat in Kiev against Shakhtar, and claimed that, from a Barcelona perspective, it can be seen as a good thing.
"Of course, the Real Madrid crisis is good for FC Barcelona. Everything bad that happens to the eternal rival is good for Barca, especially now, because it takes Koeman and his boys out of the spotlight and allows him to continue with the construction of his project,” began the Betfair ambassador.
"If Real Madrid get through this delicate moment (and they can do so, that’s the beauty of football), they can even get back fully into the fight for titles. In any case, Zidane must be careful, because a few more stumbles could put his job in serious danger.”