Messi happy alongside Neymar

Aug 08, 2013

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KUALA LUMPUR: Argentine superstar Lionel Messi said Thursday he has a "good relationship" with Brazilian wonderkid Neymar after the pair starred in Barcelona's 7-1 demolition of Thailand the night before. Neymar scored his first goal in Barcelona colours and Messi contributed a brace against the Thai side in Bangkok on Wednesday before both strikers were substituted at half-time. "Even though we had very little time in the team, there is no problem between us. We have a good relationship with each other and are happy to work together for Barcelona," Messi told a press conference. The flamboyant Neymar was this week reportedly diagnosed with anaemia amid questions over whether his partnership with four-time world player of the year Messi would flourish. But new boss Gerardo Martino said after the friendly with Thailand that the pair would complement each other, as Barca look to a reshaped front line to spearhead a defence of their La Liga crown and banish last season's Champions League humbling by Bayern Munich. "They (Messi and Neymar) are different players but I think they showed a good understanding today," the former Paraguay coach said in Bangkok. "They found each other well." Barcelona's 57 million euro ($75.7 million, ?49.5 million) summer acquisition showed no sign of his apparent anaemia in a lively 45 minutes, the highlight of which was his landmark goal from close range on 12 minutes. This sparking the rout as Barca cruised to a 1-5 lead at the interval. The Catalan side return to Asia three years after their last tour of the football-mad continent -- home to a massive fan base and huge potential revenue in sponsorship. The tour is also a final chance for Martino to assess his players before they begin their La Liga defence on August 18. Barcelona are in Kuala Lumpur to play a Malaysia XI on Saturday in the second leg of their Asian tour.

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