Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi shared the locker room at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, forming one of the most lethal duos in modern football. However, beyond the goals and trophies, their friendship left behind some unforgettable anecdotes. One of the most surprising was when, against all odds, Messi became the student and Neymar the teacher in an unexpected area: penalty kicks.

During an interview on the PodPah podcast, the Brazilian star revealed that during a training session in Paris, Messi approached him to ask how he executed his shots from the penalty spot. "He asked me: ‘How do you take penalties like that?’" Neymar recalled, still surprised by the question from the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner. "I thought: ‘Are you crazy? You're Messi! If I can do it, so can you.’" he added with a laugh.

Although Messi is considered one of the greatest players in history, penalty kicks have been one of the few aspects of his game that have drawn criticism. Throughout his career, he has taken over 150 penalties, with some crucial misses. It was in this context that Neymar, with his characteristic relaxed yet effective style, shared some tips on how to improve accuracy from the spot.

The Brazilian didn’t specify exactly which techniques he taught Messi, but he assured that the Argentine put them into practice, and the results were noticeable. In fact, during his time at PSG, Messi missed only two penalties, suggesting that Neymar’s advice paid off. "He trained, and then we saw it in the Cup," said the former Santos player.

Beyond the jokes, this anecdote highlights the trust and mutual respect between these two football icons. While Neymar has always said he experienced his best moments with Messi by his side, the Argentine also learned from his teammate, even in areas that few would have imagined. Perhaps, without Neymar’s guidance, Messi wouldn’t have refined an aspect of his game that has been crucial throughout his career.

One thing is clear: football is not just about natural talent but also about continuous learning. And if a genius like Messi was willing to take advice from his Brazilian friend, it proves that even the greatest can always improve.