Neymar assures great relationship with Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi (R) with Neymar

Madrid, Aug 2 (IANS) Barcelona‘s new star signing Neymar has said he enjoys a great relationship with fellow striker Leo Messi and insists that he expects the good relation to continue in their time together at the club.

One of the big questions that has arisen over Neymar’s arrival at the Camp Nou Stadium is how he will get on with Messi, who is without question the ‘top dog’ at Barcelona, while Neymar is the ‘New Kid on the Block,’ who could threaten Messi’s position as the best player in the world, reports Xinhua.

“I have a marvellous relationship with Messi,” said Neymar in a press conference ahead of Friday’s Joan Gamper Tournament game against his former club Santos.

“I speak to him every day and I can assure you there is no problem. Messi is the best player in the world and I am here to learn from him,” said Neymar, who appears to have had few problems in adapting to his new club.

“I speak to Dani Alves, Adriano, Jonathan dos Santos, Messi, Pinto… I speak to all of them and Xavi Hernandez as well,” he added, excited at his arrival at the Spanish league champions.

“It is a special club and I am getting to know everyone and I have to say the squad is what has most surprised me. It is much better than I thought and the way Barca play is the nicest in the world. I will try to adapt to this football quickly,” he insisted.

“A dream that I had since I was a child has come true. I turn my head and I see Messi and Xavi, it really is a dream and all I can say is that I am very happy,” he continued.

Neymar is carrying out a special training plan in order to help him gain weight which will help him shrug off the attention of defenders better, although they said he was used to tough challenges.

“It’s worse in Brazil than here, but I am used to it, it is part of the game,” he insisted.