Lionel Messi reflects on Neymar bromance as Paris Saint-Germain stars exchange farewell messages
Lionel Messi has thanked Neymar for his well wishes following his announcement that he will leave Paris Saint-Germain.
The two superstars shared a dressing room at the Parc des Princes for two years following Messi's move to PSG in 2021.
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But with the World Cup winner's contract expiring this summer, he has decided not to extend his time in Paris.
It means he will leave the Ligue 1 champions with a return to Barcelona possible, while Saudi Arabia outfit Al Hilal have offered him a whopping contract.
And Neymar has paid tribute to his close pal, who he also played alongside at Barca, appearing to indicate that PSG have let him down.
He wrote: "Brother… it didn't turn out as we thought but we tried everything. It was a pleasure to share two more years with you.
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"Good luck in your new stage and be happy. I love you."
Messi replied on Instagram, saying: "Thanks Ney! Beyond all that remains, we enjoyed playing together and sharing days.
"I wish you all the best. Besides being a superstar, you are a beautiful person and that is all that matters in the end. I love you so much."
Messi won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles with PSG - and it was his goal that gave them the victory in a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg.
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But ultimately, it has not been a successful period at the club, who are still yet to win the Champions League.
That is the main priority for the French giants, who have spent lavishly in a bid to achieve this aim.
With a front three of Neymar, Messi and Lionel Messi, it was expected that they would fight for the biggest prizes.
But that has not worked out with PSG crashing out at the first knockout stage in the last two years.
Messi could not score in his final game for PSG, who lost 3-2 to Clermont Foot on Saturday.
The Argentina international was even booed after falling out with fans following a two-week suspension after jetting off to Saudi Arabia on an unsanctioned trip.
The punishment was rescinded after one week but the damage had been done in the fans' eyes, who never forgave him and a move away looked certain ever since.
It is an unfathomable exit for undoubtedly one of the world's best-ever players, who was greeted with hysteria when he joined in 2021.
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