Miami: Barcelona teammates said Friday they have begged Neymar to resist the temptation of moving to Paris St Germain after a training ground altercation with new signing Nelsen Semedo.
The French giants are supposedly ready to launch a record-breaking USD 256 million (218 million euros) move for Neymar, sparking exit fears as the Spanish club prepared for a Saturday ‘El Clasico’ friendly matchup with Real Madrid here.
The unsettled 25 year-old Brazilian stormed off the practice pitch in disgust and has yet to commit his future to Barcelona ahead of the transfer deadline, still more than a month away.
“It’s true, something did happen, but that’s sometimes what happens in training,” Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta said Friday. “All the talk about Neymar right now, everything is magnified. Things like this can happen. It’s a personal decision for him, but of course we want him to stay.”
Strike partner Luis Suarez has formed a deadly partnership with Neymar and echoed Iniesta’s calls for the interest from PSG to be dismissed once and for all.
“As soon as he clarifies the situation, it’s better for us and him. He will have his say when he is ready and as a teammate I will support him,” Suarez stated. “Our relationship won’t change. We want him to stay.”
Manager Ernesto Valverde swerved the media on the eve of the match with arch rival Real Madrid, but Iniesta sang Neymar’s praises. “For me, he’s one of the best players in the world. He brings so much to the team and hopefully he will stay for many years,” Iniesta pointed out.
“He is worth more than USD 200 million or USD 300 million. His playing style suits us and he can only improve with us,” added the midfielder.
Neymar made an appearance at a Nike shop here Friday afternoon to celebrate the release of his new boots.
However, the superstar striker refused to talk about the speculation and just posed for photographs with fans a day after the training spat at Barry University training complex.
Ramos ready to welcome Mbappe
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos said Friday that French teen striker Kylian Mbappe will become a welcome addition for the reigning Champions League and La Liga champions should he decide to leave Monaco. The 18 year-old forward is wanted by Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane a move that could cost the club around $211 million (180 million euros). Ramos was adamant Mbappe has the qualities to become of the best in the world. “It’s not a decision for me but Mbappe is a great prospect. There are not many young players around like him. If he wants to come to Real Madrid, the doors will be open,” Ramos said.