Neymar on Lionel Messi and the Ballon d’Or

Manchester United have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Neymar after the Brazilian superstar insisted he is “happy” at Barcelona and open to penning a new deal with the European Champions.

Globo Esporte reported in the finals days of the summer transfer window that Louis van Gaal were launching a €190m (£140m) bid to make Neymar his marquee signing of the summer.

There were also doubts as to whether Neymar and Messi would be able to play together following the Brazil captain’s arrival from Santos in 2013, but he was always confident things would work out well on the pitch.

Barcelona attacker Neymar feels Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and himself have silenced critics who claimed the three were not compatible.

“Of course I want to renew my contract with Barcelona but we will talk about this matter later”.

He said: “My adaptation to the team has come quite easily”. “I changed my game and my life, both for the better since arrived to the club”.

“I’m very happy at the club and in Barcelona, where I’ve adapted very well”, he told Mundo Deportivo.

The Brazilian star is convinced that this season’s challenges will not be different from the last season, adding that the club’s fans “need to be with us like they were last season, believing until the last minute”.

“Messi has helped me a lot since I joined Barcelona”.

“We had a great season”, said Neymar, adding that he, Messi and Suarez had a “friendly relationship” which has “surprised many who thought we would not get on”.

“I hope to grow playing alongside Messi”.