Neymar continues to generate plenty of speculation regarding a possible return to Barcelona, and Keita Balde says he would sign the Paris Saint-Germain forward “tomorrow” if he was calling the shots at Camp Nou.
Ever since a record-breaking €222 million (£200m/$262m) transfer was completed in the summer of 2017, reports of a return to Spain have raged around a South American superstar.
Neymar enjoyed four productive seasons with Barca before the decision was taken to step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow in Catalunya and become a leading man in his own right.
Balde told El Chiringuito:
“With the ball at his feet, Neymar is unrivalled. He could play for any team. If I was the president of Barcelona, I would sign him tomorrow if I could.”
Balde severed ties with Barca in 2011, as he was taken on by Serie A giants Lazio. He made more than 130 appearances for the Rome-based club before sealing a switch to Monaco in 2017.
The 25-year-old forward had been enjoying a productive 2019-20 campaign before football shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.
His stock has started to rise once more, having previously registered on the radar of Manchester United and Real Madrid, but he credits Barca with helping to make him the player he is today.
Balde added:
“I have very good memories. I started there at nine years old and they were important years for me. What I have today, I owe much of it to La Masia and Barca.
“At Barcelona, they educate you as a human being, as a person and also as a footballer.”
Share your thoughts