New Delhi: Brazilian star Meymar Jr recently in an interview revealed that he helped Argentine maestro Lionel Messi to train for taking penalties during their time together at Camp Nou. He also revealed that how close he was to making a move to Bayern Munich because of legendary manager Pep Guardiola.
Messi and Neymar worked together at first in Barcelona and then in PSG when they got reunited after the eight-time Ballon d’Or had left the Catalan club in 2021. Both the players have maintained a strong friendship and have many accolades together at club level despite the Argentina – Brazil rivalry.
Both were part of Barcelona’s famous attacking trio MSN- Messi, Suarez and Neymar. Speaking on the Podpah podcast recently, the Brazilian star revealed the interesting anecdotes that happened with him in the past. He talked about being approached by Messi for helping him out with the penalties.
Neymar said, “I helped Messi take penalties! We were in training, and he asked me… ‘How do you take penalties like that? Neymar said he was surprised by Messi’s request but decided to help him anyway. He further added, “I was like, ‘Are you crazy? You’re Messi! If I can do it, you can too.’”
🚨🚨🚨🚨🗣️ Neymar:
“Messi came to me once at PSG and said teach me how to take penalties, I said are you crazy? You are Messi man how! You can overcome this without anyone’s help, after all I trained him to do it” 😂pic.twitter.com/hgJO6xaFnl
— KinG £ (@xKGx__) February 28, 2025
The 33-year-old also revealed that he wanted to fulfill his football wishlist to play with Lionel Messi. Despite having the opportunity to earn three times more at Real Madrid, he chose to play for Barcelona. He said, “Real Madrid’s offer was a blank check, they told me I can have whatever I want… but I wanted Barca with my heart. Florentino always liked me. But Ronaldinho played there and I wanted to play with Messi.”
Neymar’s near move to Bayern
Neymar also revealed that he was asked by Pep Guardiola to join Bayern Munich in 2013. Neymar revealed that he was playing for Santos at that time and had a meeting with Guardiola who told him to join Bayern Munich and promised to make him the best.
“It was around two in the morning when my father kept calling me non-stop, telling me to open the door. I was just in my underwear and a t-shirt when I finally answered, and there he was with Guardiola standing right beside him,” Neymar said.
Guardiola wasted no time and got straight to the point. “He walked into my room and started talking, saying, ‘I want you to come to the team I’m going to. Play under me, and I’ll make you the best.’”
🚨🇩🇪 Neymar: “I almost went to Bayern… because of Pep Guardiola. After I won the Puskás Award, my dad kept calling me at 2AM. I answered, he told me to open the door…. I was in boxers. It was my dad, Pep Guardiola and the translator!”.
“Pep told me: I want to sign you and… pic.twitter.com/TMZQbG5CLN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 28, 2025
The former Barcelona manager even grabbed a piece of paper and a laptop to lay out his vision. “He showed me exactly what I’d be doing on the pitch, breaking it all down. Then he said, ‘If you don’t score 60 goals in a season, I’ll change my name,’” Neymar recalled.
At that moment, Neymar admitted he started to consider the move seriously. Guardiola then revealed his destination: “I’m signing with Bayern Munich. I know it’s a cold city, but I promise I’ll take care of you there.”
Neymar reveals how he helped Messi with penalties, why he rejected Real Madrid’s blank check and how Guardiola tried to lure him to Bayern Munich. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
