Barcelona super star, Lionel Messi has said that the team has become more balanced since the departure of Neymar.
The Brazilian left for Paris Saint Germain in the summer in a world-record €222 million deal.
His departure had led to fears that Barcelona would suffer, but the reserve has turned out to be the case as the Blaugrana have only lost a single game in all competitions, maintaining a 17-point gap over Real Madrid on the league table.
In an interview with World Soccer, Messi said, “Without Neymar we are more balanced.
“His departure meant a change in our way of playing, we lost a lot of attacking potential, but it helped in the defensive sense.
“We are currently very well armed in the midfield; this makes us stronger in defence.”
The latest statement is in sharp contrast to Messi’s Christmas message to Neymar.
He said, “Well, Ney… I think we said practically everything to each other when you left.
“The truth is that here we are still missing you.