Neymar has defended Lionel Messi after an underwhelming first season at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The Brazilian believes it has been difficult for Messi, who spent his entire senior career at Barcelona before making the switch to PSG, to adapt to French football.
Messi did not reach double figures in league goals this season, scoring just six goals, along with providing 14 assists.
Speaking to Canal Football Club, Neymar defended Lionel Messi and talked about the difficulty of adapting to a new league.
"Everything you can imagine, he sent it there. It didn't take long at Barcelona, he stayed there for many years, it's difficult to adapt. It's difficult for him to change teams in the city, right? He doesn't go alone. His family only has a language that is different, but there are many things that end up getting in the way of the style. It's like playing with players who end up not understanding the way he plays. So it's increasingly difficult, not just with me, but with players who are always hungry. Team performance brings titles, we know our responsibility, and that's why we have to be better," he said.
Lionel Messi needs time to adapt at PSG, says Cisse
Neymar is not the first to support Messi by claiming the Argentine has suffered due to cultural change.
Earlier this season, Djibril Cisse came out in full support of the former Barcelona star and told L'Equipe:
"[Lionel] Messi's problem, if we can speak of a problem, is that he's a human being. For more than twenty years, he was in his element, in Barcelona. And there, we take him, we put him in another environment and we say to him: 'Go ahead, perform.' But he changed his life. His family has changed their life. We must give him time to adapt, even if his name is [Lionel] Messi. The life of a football player is impacted by his private life. For me, it's not a football problem."
Lionel Messi will be hoping to hit the ground running in his second season and help them win the Champions league – the trophy they are desperate to lift.
wizzy13
4
believe it or not messi still remains the best
OmniG
0
These are lame excuses. The truth is messi cannot perform outside of barca. barca is his comfort zone.
And what about his performance in the national team, that's outside Barcelona is it not
omochris
0
You're the one who is sick. Because you've eyes to see but refuse to see with it.
You're the one who is drunk for still trying to deny a truth which is so obvious.
omochris
0
You are sick
You're the one who is sick. Because you've eyes to see but refuse to see with it.
BLACOLOGY342
3
Then let’s see the GOAT we used to see at Barca in PSG. Better luck next season father !
Ciyackrtu
1
Yes
Jicimopuyz
0
Zlatan Ibrahimovich: “Messi is a Wi-Fi that does not connect outside the Barca.!”
q69 atleast he has connected with a club and achieved something unlike zlatan that doesn't have champions league and even any international title to his name. dnt let me go to individual achievements. so yea, quite zlatan
Bigsam11628
0
These are lame excuses. The truth is messi cannot perform outside of barca. barca is his comfort zone.
This one is drunk
Mezdkmsyz
6
Whether he performs or not it wouldn’t change the fact that he’s the goat😂
harry luiga
0
These are lame excuses. The truth is messi cannot perform outside of barca. barca is his comfort zone.
You are sick
omochris
3
These are lame excuses. The truth is messi cannot perform outside of barca. barca is his comfort zone.
BigBoss999
2
Zlatan Ibrahimovich: “Messi is a Wi-Fi that does not connect outside the Barca.!”
Wacacdln
0
France fans are the issue PSG players had,,.stop pooo your players, stop criticized your players, that won't motivated them.
Mangisha
3
"It's not a football problem ". It's great to knw that there are people who actually understand some of these things.
mCkay-17
0
Messi Started with a false 9 with Xavi, Busquet , Iniesta doing the do - He has won 🏆 La liga goal king back to back to back etc- he moved to Psg had a bad season compared to his own fantastic records- he is not even the top assist of league 1- but he is now labeled as a playmaker bur not a bad season ⚠️
tauckrtuz
0
not a good enough reason for his below average performance
Messi is a playmaker but have been performing all this time
Wingfield
3
not a good enough reason for his below average performance
de_only_bro
3