Luis Enrique believes Neymar should be in the UEFA Best Player top-3 shortlist
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique claims that Neymar should have made the shortlist for the UEFA Best Player in Europe award, Marca reports. The 45-year-old feels that the Brazilian skipper should have joined his club teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the final three shortlist instead of Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
The trio of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar scored 122 goals between them in the 2014/15 season as Barcelona completed the treble of La Liga, Copa Del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League and Enrique believes the three should have been together in the award shortlist announced by UEFA on Wednesday.
The Catalan club are set to take on Athletic Club in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup tomorrow and Enrique made his thoughts clear on the matter while speaking at a press conference ahead of the match.
"Who has decided that Neymar not among the candidates to the UEFA trophy? I think it should be Neymar, Messi, Luis Suarez and no doubt (about that)," he said as reported by Marca.
No change in Pedro’s situation at Barcelona: Enrique
Enrique also reiterated his stance on Pedro who continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United.
"The situation of Pedro is a contradiction. He is a player who wants to stay, but also want to have more minutes," Enrique said, according to Spanish daily Deportes. "I see it as usual at the working level and effort. I understand Pedro's situation, he wants to play more and I want him to stay.”
"We all know his particular situation, we all know what he has said, and we all want him to stay. Pedro is a player who is and will be loved by the fans," concluded the Spaniard.
Pedro came off the substitutes bench to score the winner for Barcelona as they beat fellow Spanish club Sevilla 5-4 in the UEFA Super Cup clash on Wednesday. Pedro had expressed his displeasure at not starting in spite of Neymar’s absence and Enrique didn’t provide any clear answers when asked whether the 28-year-old would be starting against Athletic.
“I see Pedro in the same way that I always have. My starting XI won't depend on the market situation,” he said.
Sergio Busquets, who came through the Barcelona youth ranks along with Pedro, was unsure whether his close friend would be remaining at the Nou Camp.
“It's a difficult situation, I wish him well and that whatever has to happen. In the locker room, there is no tension. He wants to be here and it showed in the final game. Selfishly I want to stay for all that offers the team and everything offered to me, "Busquets said.