Former Barcelona and Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has revealed that he and Lionel Messi encouraged Neymar to sign for Manchester City instead of Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.
Neymar left the Catalan giants six years ago and broke the world transfer record by signing for Ligue 1 giants PSG. The Brazilian attacker was tentatively linked with a move to the Etihad prior to his Camp Nou exit, but he ultimately opted to make the move to France.
The 31-year-old has registered 118 goals and 77 assists in 173 appearances for the French outfit since arriving at the Parc des Princes, while also winning a total of 13 trophies. However, it has since been revealed that his teammates had advised the forward to either remain at Barcelona or sign for City.
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Suarez, speaking to Marca, insisted that Neymar could have been considered the best in the world had he stayed in Spain, suggesting that the Brazil international chose the wrong club upon leaving Barcelona.
"If Neymar had stayed at Barcelona, he would have won a Ballon d'Or for sure. My opinion is that if I had stayed, he would have won," Suarez said."
He added: "We went to talk to Neymar and told him: 'Ney, if you want to win everything, stay here'. There are all environments that are sometimes difficult to control.
"We, as friends, advised him to stay, but it's his decision, his family's. We said: 'Neymar, England is better. [Manchester] City, that football will be better there. But in France?"
Neymar has enjoyed domestic success with PSG, however, he has failed to triumph in the Champions League. He came close to winning the trophy in 2020, but the French giants lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the final.
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