Deco puts an end to the rumors linking Neymar to Barça: "Sometimes stories do not repeat themselves"

The possible arrival of Neymar Jr. at FC Barcelona next summer seems to remain, as in previous years when the '10' from Santos was linked to the Catalan team, just a rumor. This has been supported by the club's sporting director, Deco, whose most recent public appearance left no room for doubt, although he did not express it explicitly, between the lines it seems he has dismissed any potential union between the club from the City of Barcelona and the 33-year-old left winger.

The sporting director of FC Barcelona, in statements to 'TNT Brasil' during the match between SL Benfica and Barça (0-1), corresponding to the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16, has generated great interest. Firstly, Deco wanted to praise the level that the 'crack' of the 'Seleção' is demonstrating in Brazil, where he is recovering his best version after his less brilliant period in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal. "Neymar is a phenomenon and the important thing is that he is happy. Being in Brazil makes him happy and that is what he should think about. It is not so much an economic issue for him now," he began to say.

Deco's stance on Neymar Jr.'s possible return to FC Barcelona

Subsequently, he left a rather ambiguous message about the possible arrival of Neymar Jr., although he did not definitively close the door, he raised the option that this meeting may not materialize. "I think that if a situation were to arise later, it should be good for us and for him and a football team is built with balance and sense. Neymar was a phenomenon who passed through here, who won at Barça, but sometimes those stories do not repeat themselves," he warned.

"Neymar was a phenomenon who passed through here, who won at Barça, but sometimes those stories do not repeat themselves"

Finally, Deco admitted that this is not the right time for such speculations, neither for the club, which is focused on its current sporting situation, nor for Neymar Jr., who is focused on regaining his best level of play with Santos. "It is not the time for Barcelona to think about Neymar, nor for Neymar to think about that. He is at his club, at Santos, which is the ideal place, and I hope he can return to the national team. He is a phenomenon and football lovers would like to see him happy again," he concluded.

Can the 'Neymar folder' be considered closed in the City of Barcelona?

It should be noted that all these rumors arose after it was mentioned that Pini Zahavi, advisor to Neymar Jr., who has a good relationship with FC Barcelona, had established contacts with the culé club to explore the option of 'Ney' joining the team for next summer. Given the expiration of the contract of the player from Mogi das Cruzes with 'Peixe' on June 30, his arrival as a free agent could be an option to consider, especially if he regains his best level of play.

At some point, it was speculated that FC Barcelona was evaluating the acquisition of the former PSG player and that they had established a kind of condition to explore his situation,  that the 'magician', who has already started to shine in Brazilian football, would finish the season with at least 15 goals. However, these statements make it clear that the culé team  would not be totally willing to reacquire the services of Neymar.

Regardless of the fact that there is no doubt that his incorporation would be a major media event, considering that 'Ney' is one of the most eye-catching players in the world and his possible return would be valuable if he demonstrates that he still has the necessary level for top-level football, it seems that the Barcelonans do not value the operation to the extent that has been commented.

Barça wants to strengthen its attack, but...

Although it has been mentioned several times that Barcelona is interested in strengthening its attack, they seem to be more focused on other names (Rafael Leão, Luis Díaz...) that fit better into their sports project, which already has a top-level attack. It has even been rumored that, although Neymar is a first-class 'crack', he might not fit well either at a sporting or salary level in the team.