Marcelo: Neymar not a friend on pitch

Real Madrid’s Marcelo says Neymar is no longer his friend since joining Barcelona – at least on the football pitch.

However, the full-back, who has a close relationship with Barca players Neymar and Dani Alves within the Brazilian national squad, was at pains to stress that “it is now back to the grind” with their respective club sides following the friendly with Switzerland in midweek.

“It’s nothing out of the ordinary and something that happened to me with Alves, so now it is the same with Neymar.

“We have a great friendship, but that will cease to exist when we are on opposite sides and I am defending the interests of Real Madrid,” he told reporters.

Asked about the possible arrival of Gareth Bale at the Santiago Bernabeu, Marcelo was more guarded in his observations.

“I don’t know him so it’s better to say nothing. Would I like him to sign? It is the President who must like the player.

“The President and the Coach are the people who make the decisions, not me.”

Tags Marcelo Neymar
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