Graham Hunter: Neymar's greed pushed "evangelical" Messi to a new level

 

“It still thrills me to be present. And it still thrills me to have the right to write about him on nights like that.

 

“Because of Neymar’s stupidity, greed and how he left [Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain] – it definitely galvanised Messi. When you’re at that level, it’s not coasting, but elite pros always need something to prick them. To make them reach deeper, to be more determined, and to have other goals apart from being the best and winning the trophies.”

 

And Hunter believes Messi’s impact, not only on the hearts and minds of neutrals, but on his Barcelona team, can lead the Catalan giants to the kind of success they enjoyed under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.

“And Messi is in a groove this season. He never scored against Buffon before – this season he did. He never scored against Chelsea – he did. He’s run La Liga ragged. The Barcelona 11 probably isn’t as illustrious as the [Manchester] City 11, they’re not winning as many hearts, but they’re far more competitive, robust, and they’re building a platform.

 

“He has this galvanising, evangelical impact on anyone who isn’t bitter and twisted. Honestly, it feels like Barcelona remain slight outsiders, but if Messi keeps playing like this, then maybe, maybe, maybe – against the odds – they’re contenders to win another treble.”