After several years in Europe, Neymar Jr. returned to Santos to rediscover his joy for football and demonstrate that he is still at the top of his game ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The Brazilian star continues to make headlines both on and off the field, and his recent appearance on the PodPah podcast was no exception.

The former Al-Hilal, PSG, and Barcelona player shared never-before-heard details about his relationship with Lionel Messi, including a surprising anecdote about how he taught Messi how to take penalties.

Neymar’s Surprising Story About Messi

“I helped Messi take penalties! We were training in Paris, and he asked me, ‘How do you take penalties like that?’” Neymar recalled with a laugh. “I thought, ‘Are you crazy? You’re Messi! If I can do it, so can you,’” he added.

Throughout his career, Messi has taken 153 penalties, scoring 120 goals and missing 33 (25 saved, 8 off target). Since joining PSG, the Argentine has missed only two penalty kicks.

The Real Madrid Offer He Turned Down

In addition to discussing his time in French football, Neymar also shared details about his 2013 transfer to FC Barcelona. The Brazilian revealed that Real Madrid was very close to signing him, but he chose to play alongside Messi instead.

“Barcelona offered me a fixed amount to sign, but Real Madrid gave me a blank check. I could ask for whatever I wanted, even three times the money,” Neymar admitted.

Despite the lucrative offer, Neymar opted to wear the Blaugrana jersey. He played 206 matches alongside Messi, combining for 67 goal contributions between them.

“Messi helped me from the moment I arrived at Barcelona. He supported me, and I spoke to him like an idol. At first, I thought he’d get annoyed because I joked around with him,” Neymar recalled.

What’s Next for Neymar? Santos Until Mid-Year, Then…

For now, Neymar is enjoying his return to Santos, but his future remains uncertain. The forward is expected to make a decision about his next move by mid-year, with speculation linking him to a potential return to European football.

One of Neymar’s most surprising revelations was that Pep Guardiola once tried to sign him for Bayern Munich.

“My dad used to call me at 2 a.m. and tell me to open the door. I was in my underwear… and there they were—my dad, Pep Guardiola, and a translator!” Neymar shared.

Guardiola was determined to sign him, assuring the Brazilian that he would make him the best player in the world.

“He showed me a piece of paper, opened his laptop, and explained where I would play. He said, ‘If you don’t score 60 goals in a season, I’ll change my name.’”

Ultimately, Neymar chose Barcelona, where he went on to have one of the most successful periods of his career.