Brazilian striker Neymar congratulated his Paris SG teammate, Lionel Messi, on Sunday for his world championship title with Argentina, after an anthology final won on penalties against France.
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“Congratulations my brother,” the Seleçao star wrote on his social media, a message showing a photo of Messi all smiles, caressing the World Cup trophy with one hand, and holding that of the best player of the tournament. the other.
Neymar, 30, and Messi, five years his senior, played four seasons together at FC Barcelona (from 2013 to 2017), before meeting at PSG a year and a half ago.
Sevenfold Golden Ball, the Argentinian had to wait for his fifth World Cup to finally lift the coveted trophy, after failing in the final in 2014, against Germany.
In Qatar, Neymar was the star of a Brazilian team which was the big favorite, but which fell in the quarter-finals, on penalties, against Croatia.
Inconsolable that evening, “Ney” remained prostrate on the lawn for long minutes, crying bitterly. Top scorer in the history of the Seleçao, tied with King Pelé, he then declared that he was “not 100% sure” of returning to the selection.
Ronaldo, great craftsman of the fifth and last world title of the Seleçao, in 2002, also wanted to congratulate Messi on Instagram.
“This guy plays so well that he surpasses any rivalry, even a historic rivalry like that between Brazil and Argentina,” responded the former FC Barcelona and Inter Milan striker.
“It’s a farewell (to the World Cups) at the height of his genius. He is much more than the best player of this World Cup, he marked an era. I imagine my friend Diego (Maradona) must be partying in the sky. We are millions of all nationalities standing up to applaud you. Well done, Messi!” he added.
“I’m sure my friend Maradona is happy with this victory,” added Romario, hero of Brazil’s fourth World Cup triumph in 1994.
“This match was a great tribute to football. Impossible not to move during this disputed final until the last action (…) Argentina was better on the ground and Messi won the last title he lacked, “he said. concluded.