When Neymar Jr. first joined FC Barcelona from Santos, life at Camp Nou wasn’t all magic and goals.

In a recent conversation with Romário, Neymar opened up about the emotional struggles he faced during his first six months at the club.

“I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time. I kept thinking: I can’t dribble past anyone… I’m doing everything wrong!”

The turning point came during a match against Athletic Bilbao. At halftime, frustrated and overwhelmed, Neymar broke down in tears—alone in the dressing room bathroom.

“I was so upset with how I was playing. I locked myself in the washroom and just cried.”

But what happened next changed everything. A knock came on the door. It was none other than Lionel Messi.

“Messi asked me, ‘Why are you crying?’ I said, ‘Nah, I’m fine,’ even though I wasn’t. Then Dani Alves came in too, and Messi said something I’ll never forget:

‘Calm down. We’re here to help you. We want you to play your best football—just like you did at Santos. No pressure. If you ever need anything, count on me.’”

That moment gave Neymar the confidence he needed.

“From that day on, I felt lighter. I was more excited to play. Everything started to go well.”

And go well it did.

Neymar Jr’s Stats at Barcelona:

• Games: 186
• Goals: 105
• Assists: 76

He became part of one of the deadliest attacking trios in football history—MSN: Messi, Suárez, and Neymar. Together, they won the treble in 2015 and left a lasting legacy at the club.

Should Neymar Have Stayed at Barça?

Looking back, many fans wonder if Neymar made the right decision leaving Barcelona in 2017. With Messi guiding him and the team built around his talents, could he have reached even greater heights at Camp Nou?