Messi, Neymar and an example for football

Messi and Neymar lived a real duel of 10 on the Maracanã grass. The one from Paris Saint-Germain and the one not yet signed by Barcelona met for the fifth time on the pitch: four with their national teams, which with the victory of Argentina stood 2-2 on aggregate, and one at club level in that World Cup final that faced the Santos champion of America with the Catalans.

After a fruitful stage together in Barcelona in which they won together a Champions League, two Leagues, three Cups, a Spanish Super Cup, a European Cup and a Club World Cup, Neymar decided to go to Paris in 2018 in search of growing up without Leo. Something that, on the other hand, has not touched their friendship as they demonstrated in the final this Saturday. Neither did Argentina's victory.

Both wingers embraced at the beginning of the match and also, after the referee whistled the end and the victory of Argentina. A disconsolate Neymar, who cried after the defeat, went to look for Leo, immersed in full Albiceleste celebration (his teammates kept Scaloni) and melted with him in a long hug of more than half a minute in which, it is understood, he congratulated to Leo for his success. Losing to his friend was very painful, but somewhat less than if it were to anyone else as he hinted with this beautiful gesture of affection. Before leaving on his way to the locker room, he also congratulated the rest of the Argentine team, who at that moment were singing to their coach.

Several hours after the end of the meeting, they got back together. Ney sat quietly with Messi enjoying a pleasant chat in which both smiled, as captured by the photojournalists present. Both shirtless, with the 10 of Brazil and Argentina exchanged and resting on their knees, they talked and spent an enjoyable time sitting on the stairs of the Maracaná locker room where Neymar changed his face. From the grief, which covered himself with his rival's shirt, to the laugh.

The detail? Messi still held the gold of the American champion around his neck while Neymar's medal rested far from his body.