Neymar's father says Lionel Messi is the reason his son is at Barcelona, and confirmed the Argentine superstar as "the idol" to his Brazilian teammate.
Neymar joined Barcelona from Santos in the summer of 2013, and almost immediately formed a lethal partnership with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, helping the Catalan to two La Liga titles, a Champions League and Club World Cup crown thus far.
The Brazil No. 10 last week signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Camp Nou into 2021. And Neymar da Silva Santos Sr. said Junior's joy at playing alongside Messi is why he's a Barcelona player.
"We all know who Messi is and what he means. He is the idol of my son and for him is a pleasure being at his side," Neymar Sr. told Cope.
"He is always happy for playing together and he is playing here for Messi.
"If Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo never existed probably Neymar never existed too; the same with Pele and Maradona, both inspired a lot of players."
Neymar was listed among the 30 finalists for the 2016 Ballon d'Or trophy awarded by French magazine France Football. But Neymar Sr. says it's Messi's to lose.
"Messi deserves the Ballon d'Or," he said.