Neymar accepts Barcelona have to target a second consecutive treble but doesn’t believe he can win the Ballon d’Or. ‘It’s already been won by Lionel Messi.’
Brazil captain Neymar has spoken to Mundo Deportivo and after discussing his role in the side in the injury-enforced absence of Messi, and what it’s like playing in front of an unhappy Camp Nou, the conversation turned to trophies, both collective and individual.
“At Barca you are always forced to try and win it all. The start to the season has been costly, with the injuries and everything we’ve been through, but this is now,” he considered.
“I think everything will be solved later and we’ll have a lot to enjoy. I want to continue making history…I want to win more trophies.
“I’m very pleased [to be on the Ballon d’Or shortlist]. I hope to do my job, help my teammates with goals, knowing what I can do on the pitch.
“Of course I want to be in the top three. That would be great for me. Messi? He is the favourite. This year’s Ballon d’Or is already reserved for Messi, the best player in the world. It’s already designated. He deserves it for everything he has done.”
Neymar added that he isn’t unhappy to be competing with Messi for individual prizes, and is happy to have proved wrong the critics who doubted he and Messi could play with Luis Suarez.
“I hope to develop playing alongside Messi. He’s the best and he’s an idol for me,” Neymar continued.
“And if I learn a lot, maybe one day I can win [the Ballon d’Or].
“I think [the success of the trident] surprised, because no one expected that we would manage to connect so well. People said we wouldn’t have a good relationship, but I knew it wouldn’t be like that.”
