Former Barcelona and Chelsea manager, Louis van Gaal, says the La Liga giants have underachieved their potential largely due to the fact that Lionel Messi is not a team player. And he believes too that Neymar’s style of play at PSG is like Messi’s,
Van Gaal tasks both the Argentina and Brazil superstars to emulate Liverpool midfielder James Milner and become resourceful team players.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain will be more successful if Messi and Neymar help their teammates in attacking and defending against opponents, Van Gaal insists.
“Look at Barcelona. How many Champions Leagues have they won with what they say is the best player in the world?,” Van Gaal, who had two stints as Barcelona coach – from 1997 to 2000 and 2002 to 2003 told El Pais.
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe
“Look at Neymar at PSG. How many Champions Leagues have they won? I like Neymar and Messi as individual players but not as team players. I believe that
in team games, there is nothing more important than the team player.
“One of the best is James Milner.
“In the final of the Champions League, he played as a defender and as a midfielder. It’s great that he can offer that at 33.
“I think Messi should ask himself how it is possible that he has not won a Champions League for so long.
“I think Messi is also responsible for what is happening in Barcelona not only the coach. Players have a substantial part of responsibility for what happens on the team.
“I remember that Neymar at Barca played for Messi’s service,” the ex-Manchester United boss said. “I’m not against Neymar. He is fabulous. But at PSG, he does not play for the team.
“And I believe that every player must play for the team- even Messi. [Barcelona] have a staff of 30 players and I think Messi must adapt to the team and not the
other way around.”
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