Joan Laporta’s presidential adviser Enric Masip recently interviewed him sneak aroundwho shares his thoughts on several players including Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe who he thinks could join Real Madrid.
The highlight of the interview came when Masip was asked about Neymar. In a scathing attack on the Brazilian, the presidential adviser suggested that the attacker play for the team that will land him the most lucrative deals.
“Personally, Neymar has always shown that he chooses the team that gives him the most money. That’s why we prefer to sign players who would give their lives for Barça. Even if they have less talent.”
Neymar has been linked with a Camp Nou return in the past but with Xavi enjoying immense success with a much younger group of players the door seems to have closed.
Speaking about Barcelona’s team building policy change, Masip said: “What Laporta is doing is talking about prudence. We have to give the players back the desire to play for Barça. We’d rather have a person who is fully committed to the team than a ‘crack’ who is there by name.”
The 52-year-old cited PSG as the ideal example that a side cannot be built simply by adding top individuals.
„PSG shows that the power of the team is far greater than the power that individuals can have. But if you have both, fine. Without Messi at Barcelona, everyone had to change. People woke up and a team was reached,” he said.
Masip also offered an update on Ousmane Dembele’s situation at Barca. He indirectly urged the Frenchman to reduce wage demands, saying:
“Players need to enter our salary cap for next season. There must be no exorbitant salaries. Barça’s situation is much more enticing now than it was in December. Now it should be easier to bet on the team.”
Finally, Enric Masip was asked about Kylian Mbappe. The Spaniard believes the PSG superstar could join Real Madrid next season but firmly believes he won’t be in the same team as Erling Haaland.
“Personally, I think Mbappe has had a pre-agreement with Madrid for a long time. Well, it’s true that his statements sometimes make people think differently. I don’t see him playing alongside Haaland in Madrid.”
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