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Football Insider

From the Prince to the Genius! - The Bond Between Messi and Neymar in Jersey Form

Neymar and Santos have sent signed No.10 shirts to Lionel Messi and his sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, honoring their shared legacy of the iconic number. Explore the enduring friendship and football journey of Messi and Neymar, from their Barcelona days to their current club endeavors.

From the Prince to the Genius! - The Bond Between Messi and Neymar in Jersey Form

Neymar and Santos have sent signed No.10 shirts to Lionel Messi and his sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, highlighting the two stars' favoured shirt number. The duo starred together at Barcelona and later linked up again at French giants Paris Saint-Germain and they have remained good friends ever since. A social post from Santos praised both Messi and Neymar alongside all-time Brazil great Pele.Messi and Neymar first became good friends during their time at Barcelona. The pair won eight trophies together with the Catalan giants, including a Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble during their historic 2014-15 campaign, and formed the electric 'MSN' forward line alongside Luis Suarez. Their partnership came to a temporary end in 2017 when Neymar made a world-record move to PSG, though Messi would eventually join his old team-mate in Paris after leaving Barcelona as a free agent in 2021.They both left France in 2023, with Messi moving to Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami and Neymar joining Al-Hilal in what turned out to be a two-year spell ravaged by injury. The 34-year-old has since returned to Santos in his native Brazil and helped his boyhood club avoid relegation in the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A season.The latest example of their strong friendship arrived when Neymar sent three replica Santos jerseys to Messi and his three sons, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro, with a post on social media quickly going viral.The post from Santos reads: “From Neymar Jr. to Lionel Messi. From the Prince to the Genius."The Sacred Mantle, of immeasurable value, with the number immortalised by the King. 10 for Neymar. 10 for Messi. 10 for Pelé. An infinite legacy in the history of soccer."Greetings from Vila Belmiro, Lionel Messi!"The pair no longer play together but both remain active at club level. Messi has brought new interest to MLS since his move to Inter Miami, helping the Herons win the 2025 MLS Cup, 2024 Supporters' Shield and the 2023 Leagues Cup. Neymar, meanwhile, hasn't been competing at the top of the Brazilian Serie A, with his side deep in a relegation battle when he returned.Santos eventually inched their way to safety and will be hoping to avoid a similar campaign in the 2026 edition of the league, though they haven't managed to pick up a win from either of their opening two matches. Neymar hasn't been fit to feature so far but could be available for their next game against Athletico Paranaense on Thursday evening.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingWhile Neymar recently signed a contract extension with Santos, there had been speculation linking him with a move to North America.Speaking about a potential transfer, former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel recently told GOAL: "If Neymar is fit, then I think it works, I really do because he’s still a huge name in certain parts of the US. The trouble is if he’s not fit and he’s injured a lot, then it becomes a negative media-driven reality. I can understand arguments on both sides for sure."I would assume, and these are smart guys, it would be a tiered contract based on performances and being fit. Having spent some time in Miami, before Messi came you wouldn’t have really known that Miami had a team. From the time that he came, there are pink and black shirts everywhere. If Neymar came, it would add to that."I can understand what they are trying to do. You have to look at it carefully because it’s a tough one due to his injury record. But he has that special talent that can really excite some American fans. He can do some special things. I would probably be 55 for it and 45 against."Messi, meanwhile, should feature in Inter Miami's first game of the new MLS season later this month against Los Angeles FC.Auto translated by GOAL-e

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The Legendary Bond of Messi and Neymar

Neymar and Santos have gifted Lionel Messi and his sons signed No.10 shirts, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two football icons. From their successful stint at Barcelona to their subsequent paths at Paris Saint-Germain and beyond, Messi and Neymar have maintained a strong camaraderie both on and off the pitch.

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The Barcelona Connection

Messi and Neymar's friendship blossomed during their time at Barcelona, where they formed a formidable attacking trio with Luis Suarez. Together, they clinched numerous trophies, including an illustrious treble in the 2014-15 season, showcasing their exceptional skills and understanding on the field.

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Separate Paths and Reunions

Following Neymar's move to PSG in 2017, the duo's on-field partnership was momentarily halted. However, their paths converged again when Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. Despite later departing from the French club, their bond continues to flourish, as evidenced by Neymar's heartfelt gesture towards Messi and his family.

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The Santos Sentiment

The recent exchange of Santos jerseys marked a special moment, with Neymar paying homage to the iconic No.10 shared by legends like Pelé, Messi, and himself. The endorsement from Santos not only celebrated their talents but also encapsulated a rich footballing history that transcends generations.

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Future Ventures and Speculations

While Messi continues to make waves in MLS with Inter Miami, Neymar's return to Santos has reignited discussions about his future endeavors. Despite ongoing speculations about a potential move to North America, Neymar's commitment to his current club reaffirms his dedication to the Brazilian football landscape.

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Exciting Prospects Ahead

As Messi and Neymar navigate through their respective club commitments, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing their magic on the field once again. With Messi's impact in MLS and Neymar's potential influence in future ventures, the football world remains captivated by the enduring legacy of these two extraordinary talents.

Published on Feb 10, 2026