Neymar Junior says that he is happy for his old Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi, as the Argentine conjured up another masterclass, scoring a hat trick for the Albiceleste in Quito to take his country to the World Cup in Russia.
Argentina needed to win in Ecuador, but fell behind after 37 seconds. But Messi stepped up with a sensational hat trick to seal qualification for 2014’s beaten finalists. Neymar, whose Brazil side qualified comfortably, declared himself happy for his old friend.
“I’m happy for him, for a friend to be playing such an important championship, not to stay out, but I have friends in Chile as well. But we have to play our game because we are men and we are here to win always.”
Neymar also bristled against his treatment by the referee, as the Seleção cruised to a 3-0 win against Chile, a result which eliminates the current South American champions. Neymar was booked shortly before half time for raising his arm.
“That’s part of it, right? A yellow card where I was not to blame, I did not mean to leave my hand in his face, but it goes down to the interpretation of the referee, right? And as always it didn’t come out in my favour.”