Barcelona miss Messi, admits Neymar

Posted Monday, October 07, 2013 by Goal.com

The Blaugrana are continuing to win in the absence of their star man but the Brazil international insists the team will be better off once the Argentine returns to fitness

Barcelona picked up their second win of the week without Lionel Messi in their side when they beat Valladolid 4-1 on Saturday but Neymar says the Argentine is very much missed on the pitch.

A thigh injury has ruled the 26-year-old out of action for two to three weeks but that didn't stop the Blaugrana from beating Celtic 1-0 at Parkhead in the Champions League on Tuesday or emerging victorious this weekend.

Neymar has enjoyed two consecutive starts as a result of Messi's absence but after scoring his side's fourth on Saturday, the €54 million (£45.6m) summer signing revealed his team-mate's presence is missed.

He told Marca: "Messi is always important. For everyone he is the best player on the planet."

The 21-year-old linked up well with Alexis Sanchez at Camp Nou, with the Chile international helping himself to two goals and Neymar admits the pair have a growing understanding.

"I'm very happy with the performance of the whole team," he added. "Alexis is really starting to understand me but the important thing is always the team."

Next up for Barcelona are Osasuna on October 19 following the international break.