MX23RW : Tuesday, January 14 23:31:43| >> :120:24376:24376:

Sandro Rosell: 'Neymar joined to play with Lionel Messi'

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell says that Neymar joined the club to play alongside Lionel Messi.

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has revealed that Neymar chose to join the club because of his desire to play alongside Lionel Messi.

The Brazilian forward was one of the most sought-after players in world football before his summer move to the Spanish giants, with Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid all reportedly interested in him.

"[Neymar] wanted to be play next to Messi and the rest of the team," Rosell told Cadena SER. "The key was that the player wanted to come to Barcelona.

"It was not about knowing how to negotiate. I spoke with his father when we met in Miami and we closed the deal there. Neymar's a very humble, friendly guy, a great teammate and a great player.

"He is not selfish on the ball, which is just what we want in a football player. Has has settled perfectly into the squad. Everything was based on that despite him having offers from Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid."

Barca are currently top of La Liga, having won all eight of their games this season.

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Paul Gorst
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Barcelona's Andres Iniesta in action against Sevilla during their La Liga match on September 14, 2013
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico19135134122244
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona198472725228
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196762123-225
11Osasuna196762328-525
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Getafe194781316-319
16Leganes194781829-1119
17AlavesAlaves1945102131-1017
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Real ValladolidValladolid1943121337-2415
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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