SOCCER
Neymar: ‘I hope Messi and I play together again’
The Brazilian legend was asked about his former teammate at the Bahrain Grand Prix and revealed that he hopes to reunite with the Inter Miami star.
Neymar Jr has achieved a lot in his 15-year professional career. He has won titles in three countries and is one of few players to lift both the Champions League and the Copa Libertadores.
However his greatest successes, the pinnacle of his achievements, came during his spell at Barcelona. He formed one-third of the famous MSN attacking trident, alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. The other 66% of that iconic trio are now playing for Inter Miami and Neymar has hinted that he would be interested in joining them.
Speaking to reporters at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Neymar said: ‘Yes, Messi is happy [in Miami]. I’m also happy, I hope that we can get back to playing together again.”
Neymar is currently signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, who he joined last summer after ending his six-year spell in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain.
When will Neymar return from injury?
In recent seasons the sight of Neymar laying prone on the ground, or gesturing wildly to touchline medical staff, has become a depressingly common one. Still only 32 years old Neymar is one of the most talented players of his generation but his fitness issues have robbed him of several of the best years of his career.
The latest injury to befall the Brazilian was an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear suffered while on international duty last October. He was forced off in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Uruguay and underwent surgery to last year.
Brazil’s national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said in December: “We expect that he will be ready to return at the start of the 2024 season in Europe, which is in August. We need to be patient. Talking about a return before nine months is premature.”
Neymar will have to remain at Al-Hilal until he has completed his return from injury. A move to MLS seems very unlikely in the short term, but with Luis Suarez also struggling with a knee injury he may not be able to feature for Miami beyond this year. If Suarez were to leave at the end of 2024, could Neymar be the man to replace him alongside Messi? Only time will tell.