Football has given the world many rivalries — but few friendships as powerful as that of Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi.
In a touching gesture, Neymar and Santos FC sent Lionel Messi and his sons signed Santos No. 10 jerseys bearing Neymar’s name. It was more than a gift. It was a symbol of brotherhood, history and legacy.
Messi wasted no time sharing the moment. Alongside his sons Thiago and Mateo, he posed proudly holding the personalised shirts, each signed by Neymar with a heartfelt message. The smiles said everything.
Their story began in 2013 when Neymar joined Barcelona and formed the legendary “MSN” trio with Messi and Luis Suárez. Together, they mesmerised the football world. Their chemistry was electric, their understanding almost telepathic. Trophies followed — including the 2015 UEFA Champions League — but it was their joy and flair that truly captured hearts.
They reunited years later at Paris Saint-Germain between 2021 and 2023, proving that what they shared went beyond tactics or formations. Even today, with Messi leading Inter Miami and Neymar back at his boyhood club Santos, their bond remains unshaken.
Santos summed up the tribute beautifully in a message that resonated across the football world:
“From the Prince to the Genius. The sacred jersey of immeasurable value, with the number immortalised by the King. 10 for Neymar. 10 for Messi. 10 for Pelé.”
The message connects three generations of greatness through one iconic number. Pelé made it legendary. Messi elevated it to new artistic heights. Neymar continues its magic.
The No. 10 shirt is more than fabric stitched with a number. It represents creativity, brilliance and leadership — the heartbeat of the beautiful game.
Perhaps most powerful of all is what this friendship represents. A Brazilian and an Argentine — from two of football’s fiercest rival nations — bound by mutual respect and genuine affection. In a sport often defined by competition, they remind us that football’s greatest victories are sometimes human.
In the end, this gesture was not just about jerseys. It was about legacy. It was about gratitude. It was about brotherhood.
And above all, it was a reminder that football, at its very best, brings the world together.
