Ahead of the 2021 Copa America final this weekend between Brazil and Argentina, Neymar has joked that his friendship with Lionel Messi is on the line.
The two giants of South American international football will meet in the early hours of Sunday morning in the Copa America final, where both Messi and Neymar are aiming to win the tournament for the first time in their careers.
Neymar was absent when Brazil claimed the Copa title in 2019, while Messi has lost three finals in the competition as he now seeks to win his first major international trophy.
Speaking ahead of the game, Neymar was full of praise for his former Barcelona teammate before joking that the final could mark the end of their friendship.
"Messi is, as I've always said, the best player I've ever seen play and he's a great friend," he said, according to AS.
"But now we're in a final, we're rivals. I want to win and I really want to win this title, which would be my first Copa America.
"Messi has been looking for his first title with the national team for many years, and every time we (Brazil) are not present at the tournament, I cheered for him.
Messi Warned Ahead Of Brazil Copa America Final
"That's what I've been cheering for in the 2014 World Cup final, when he faced Germany.
"Now Brazil is in the dispute, so our friendship is on the line (laughs). The respect between us is still great, but only one can win."
Did you see how Messi reacted when Argentina beat Colombia on penalties? He went crazy!
