LIONEL MESSI has admitted that he wants Barcelona to sign Neymar AND Lautaro Martinez this summer.
The Catalan giants haven’t won the Champions League since 2015, when Neymar scored their clincher against Juventus in Berlin.
Lionel Messi wants to link up with former team-mate Neymar… and Lautaro Martinez
And Messi is keen on bringing the Brazilian back to the Camp Nou, as he chases more honours before the end of his career, despite the Paris Saint-Germain star’s controversial 2017 exit.
On Neymar, the 32-year-old told Mundo Deportivo: “As I said before, he is one of the best and contributed us a lot on the pitch.
“He is really looking forward to coming back, he always seemed sorry. He did a lot to return and that would be the first step to try to arrive.”
Neymar, 28, scored 105 goals in 186 games for Barcelona in a trophy-laden four-year spell at the Camp Nou.
Barca were stung by his forced exit, but in their pursuit last summer, showed that they are ready to forgive and forget in order to have their star man back… and please Messi.
Another man Barcelona’s No10 wants to link up with is compatriot and Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez.
He is very strong, he has a very good one against one, he has a lot of goals, in the area he fights with anyone, he turns, he looks for it alone. He has a lot of quality and is very complete.
Lionel Messi on potential Barcelona signing Lautaro Martinez
The 22-year-old has starred for Antonio Conte’s side this season as they challenge for the Serie A title.
And on the 18-cap forward, Messi said: “He is spectacular, he has impressive conditions, he was seen to be a great player, now he exploded and is showing it.
“He is very strong, he has a very good one against one, he has a lot of goals, in the area he fights with anyone, he turns, he looks for it alone. He has a lot of quality and is very complete.
“And Luis [Suarez] also has a lot of experience and could help adapt Lautaro to the club and the league, but they are all assumptions.”
Martinez has bagged 16 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions this season – with Inter currently sitting three points behind leaders Juventus in the Serie A title race.
Sporting director Eric Abidal will be under pressure to deliver in the summer, after his recent public row with star player and former team-mate Messi.
The Frenchman did complete the shock signing of Martin Braithwaite from Leganes yesterday, but it will take a lot more than that to heal his wounds with Barca’s first-team squad.
Lionel Messi reveals the four clubs he thinks will rival Barcelona for Champions League glory this season
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
