Back to the Manchester City Newsfeed

Lionel Messi insists Barcelona are better off without £198m man Neymar: 'Without him we are more balanced... we have improved in defence'

Lionel Messi has made the shock admission that Barcelona are better off without Paris Saint-Germain's £198million man Neymar.

The Brazilian superstar, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, left the Nou Camp for a record fee in the summer, but Messi doesn't seem overly concerned about the exit of his good friend.

'Without Neymar we are more balanced,' Messi told the Sunday Mirror. 'His departure led to a change in the way we play.

Lionel Messi believes Barcelona are more balanced following Neymar's u00a3198m move to PSG
Lionel Messi believes Barcelona are more balanced following Neymar's £198m move to PSG
The formidable trio of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Messi (left-right) wreaked havoc at Nou Camp
The formidable trio of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Messi (left-right) wreaked havoc at Nou Camp

'We have lost a lot of our offensive potential but we have improved in defence.