Luis Suarez says Neymar “had to stay by Lionel Messi’s side” in order to become “the best”, with a “mistake” made in leaving Barcelona.

• WHAT HAPPENED?The Brazil international forward took the decision to step out of Messi’s shadow at Camp Nou when completing a record-breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. The Ligue 1 giants splashed out €222 million (£191m/$242m) on the South American in 2017, but let him leave for Al-Hilal in 2023 without an elusive Champions League crown being claimed.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Neymar did hit 118 goals for PSG through 173 appearances – with Messi joining him in Paris for two seasons from the summer of 2021 – but was unable to push himself into Ballon d’Or contention or hit the heights that had been enjoyed as part of the fabled ‘MSN’ attacking unit in Catalunya.

WHAT SUAREZ SAID ABOUT NEYMAR

Suarez has told Clank! of Neymar’s decision to leave Barca for France: “We were very good friends, and we knew if we fulfilled our roles on the pitch, we would make Barcelona great. If one of us did not play well, the other two would make the difference. It was a spectacular relationship. We told him it was a mistake to go to PSG. If Ney wanted to be the best, he had to stay by Leo’s side. But, he made his decision, and it left a void in the team.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR SUAREZ & NEYMAR?

Suarez is about to be reunited with Messi at MLS side Inter Miami, as he mulls over a switch to the United States as a free agent. Neymar, meanwhile, may not be seen in Saudi Pro League action again until 2024-25 after suffering knee ligament damage.