Former Barcelona and Brazil star Rivaldo has hinted that fellow Brazilian Neymar could already know about Lionel Messi’s prospective move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona from 2013-2017, been waxing lyrical about a reunion that has to happen next season, while fellow Argentine Leandro Paredes stated he would openly welcome the Argentine to Paris ‘with open arms’.
Sportsmail’s revelation on Friday that Neymar would reportedly only sign a new contract at the Parisian giants if Messi were to move has also fanned the flames of conjecture.
Rivaldo reckons his compatriot Neymar could be exerting pressure on the Parisienne champions to move for Messi and create a galvanizing front three alongside Kylian Mbappe, telling Betfair:
“Neymar said he would love to partner with Lionel Messi again and talked up the possibility of that happening next season. They are friends and chat a lot.
“Knowing about Messi’s contract expiring with Barcelona, I believe that the Brazilian star may press his club to sign him next season – Messi will be free to negotiate with another club from January, so it’s possible that he may move to France.
“Messi seems to be looking for a new adventure in his career and PSG are aware that they won’t need to pay anything to Barcelona to get him. The French club could be preparing a move to sign the Argentinian star to partner with Neymar.”
The 33-year-old’s Barcelona future is shrouded in uncertainty in view of the turmoil at the club, with the Catalan side languishing dismally in seventh place in LaLiga.
Messi’s contract ends next summer, meaning it’s open season for foreign clubs like PSG and Manchester City to initiate negotiations for a free transfer from January 1st, and Rivaldo believes Neymar may already be cognizant of contract discussions.
He added: “It would be great to see them playing together again and I don’t think Neymar’s comments were an accident. Perhaps he already knows PSG are talking with Messi.
“According to reports, Kylian Mbappe wants to leave PSG for Real Madrid, but with this new chance of playing alongside Messi and Neymar, the Frenchman could reconsider and prefer to stay in Paris.
“If PSG manage to unite the three next season they would have a fantastic trio that certainly will make PSG a top contender in all competitions.”