The matters concerning Neymar are handled by Pini Zahavi, a close friend and former partner of Joan Laporta, who brought Lewandowski and Hansi Flick to Barça. This detail encourages the blaugrana president to pressure Hansi Flick about his signing for Barça.
Hansi Flick Doesn't Want Him at Barça
The German's response is "no". Not in December, not in February, and not in March. He doesn't want him at Barça.
Hansi Flick is proud of the human group he has formed at Barça. Not even in his wildest dreams could he imagine that his experience in the Catalan city could go so smoothly, as it has.
He doesn't want to ruin it by risking the group's balance and harmony. It's the secret of his success. Joan Laporta has been after him for months trying to convince him of the need to incorporate Neymar into the blaugrana squad.
Laporta knows that Neymar is no longer driven by money, which makes him accessible for Barça. The player has assured Laporta that he will return to his best version. His goal is to play the 2026 World Cup at the highest level and leave the Brazil national team on a high note.
He is 33 years old and aspires to nothing more than to be happy, something he is sure he will achieve at Barça. Through Pini Zahavi, he has managed to reach Joan Laporta and trusts him to open the doors of Camp Nou for him.
The Facts Prove Hansi Flick Right
But Joan Laporta, who sees it clearly because he senses in Neymar that media star he needs to fill Camp Nou, has found more resistance from Hansi Flick than expected.
Flick has his reasons to doubt Neymar, and the facts prove him right. In the last two years, he barely played seven matches with Al-Hilal, which paid 90M for him to PSG and 100M to him.
Neymar has also sought the support of André Cury to bring him closer to Barça as he once did with Sandro Rosell. But Flick, who knows Barça's recent history, doesn't want what happened to Xavi with Vitor Roque to happen to him with Neymar. He has stood firm: "I don't want him in my squad."
Meanwhile, the facts align with him. Neymar hasn't been drafted by Brazil, and his place will be taken by Endrick, a substitute at Real Madrid. Santos is struggling, and in contrast, Neymar has been seen, while on leave, enjoying Rio's carnival, as every year.
Flick Won't Face the Same Situation as Xavi with Vitor Roque
Deco himself seems to align with the coach, going against his president's wishes. This is what it seems, at least, from statements made to TNT Sports:
"A soccer team is built with balance and thought. Sometimes stories don't repeat themselves. It's not the time for Barcelona to think about Neymar, nor for Neymar to think about that."
Xavi was brought Vitor Roque without asking for him. With Flick, the same won't happen. Neymar won't return to Barça with him as coach.