Brazilian superstar Neymar recently shared an unexpected anecdote about his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Lionel Messi. Speaking on the Podpah podcast,Neymar revealed that Messi once asked him for advice on penalty kicks during a training session.
“I helped Messi take penalties! We were in training, and he asked me… ‘How do you take penalties like that?'” Neymar recalled.
A lesson from Neymar to Messi
Neymar, known for his technical brilliance and composed penalty-taking style, was surprised by Messi’s request. “I was like, ‘Are you crazy? You’re Messi! If I can do it, you can too,'” Neymar said. Despite Messi’s legendary status, Neymar took the time to teach him his approach, and Messi practiced based on his advice.
This revelation adds an interesting layer to the friendship and professional relationship between the two South American icons, who played together at Barcelona and later reunited at PSG.
While Messi has converted numerous crucial penalties throughout his career, Neymar’s insight shows that even the greatest players continue learning and refining their skills.
Messi’s evolution from the spot
Over the years, Messi has been both praised and criticized for his penalty-taking record. While he has scored many high-pressure penalties, including in World Cup and Champions League matches, he has also missed key attempts. Neymar’s influence may have contributed to Messi’s growing confidence from the spot, especially in his later years.
As two of the most skillful players in modern football, Neymar and Messi’s close bond extended beyond the pitch. This small yet fascinating detail from their training sessions highlights the humility and dedication that even the best players maintain throughout their careers.
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