Neymar reacts to Lionel Messi's Miami move as Sergio Aguero digs out Barcelona

Neymar has revealed he spoke to Lionel Messi about his future and encouraged him to go to Inter Miami, while Sergio Aguero says Barcelona ‘did not do enough’ to convince him to return.

The World Cup-winning Argentina superstar, who leaves Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this month as a free agent, announced on Wednesday evening that he had decided to continue his career in Major League Soccer.

He had been open to a return to Catalonia but says ‘many things were missing’ which prevented an agreement while he did not want to hang around waiting for Barca to sort out their Financial Fair Play situation.

Although Messi’s decision came as something of a shock, Neymar has now revealed that he already knew it was happening and had championed a move to MLS.

Asked about the Argentine’s switch to Miami, Neymar told NBA Brasil: ‘I already knew! Messi is one of my best friends and a gift the game gave me.

‘I had the chance to play with him and then we became friends. I knew he would come to Miami and we talked about it.

‘I told him he would be very happy because of the city and the way of life here, and I’m sure he will change the whole league in the United States.’

Another of Messi’s former team-mates, Kun Aguero, has a home in Miami and is also believed to have spoken glowingly about the city.

The former Manchester City striker is in Istanbul for the final of the Champions League and spoke about his compatriot’s move to MLS and criticised how little effort Barcelona put into securing a Camp Nou return for Messi.

‘Messi’s decision? Barcelona did not do enough for Leo’s return,’ said Aguero on ESPN.

‘Yes, there was a La Liga thing and also the economic situation, but Leo made the correct decision to not wait until the last second like he did in 2021.’

During the broadcast, Pep Guardiola interrupted the show to have a quick chat with Aguero and the first thing he said to his former striker was: ‘Are you taking everyone to Miami? Messi’s already there!’

Aguero laughed and, perhaps referencing Inter Miami’s rumoured move for Sergio Busquets, replied: ‘Yeah, well, I’m collecting them all up.’

The former striker also revealed a message he sent to Messi after the move was confirmed: ‘I spoke to Messi yesterday, I sent him a message with a screenshot of the Eastern Conference standings and I said: “Your team is behind! You have to move up to 8th or 9th!”

Asked how the 2022 World Cup winner responded to that message, Aguero said: ‘Messi cracked up. He said, “We have to make the play-offs!”’

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