Barcelona: Barcelona star Neymar claimed he was meant to be the recipient of Lionel Messi’s sensational pass from a penalty that was converted by Luis Suarez as the European champions routed Celta Vigo 6-1 on Sunday.
Messi and Suarez combined to score one of the classiest penalties in football history as Messi squared his spot-kick for the onrushing Suarez to complete his hat-trick ahead of Neymar.
“It was designed for me, we had practised it, but Luis was closer. It doesn’t matter, he scored so it worked well,” Neymar told Barca TV.
Barca were already leading 3-1 when Messi — who has missed 17 of 83 penalties in his career — was chopped down inside the area after an outrageous piece of skill on the by-line.
Messi with a brilliant free-kick, Ivan Rakitic and Neymar got the other goals as Barca moved three points clear at the top of La Liga.
The penalty brought back memories of another Barca legend Johan Cruyff when he and Jesper Olsen played a one-two for the Dutchman to score when playing for Ajax against Helmond Sport in 1982.
The final score was harsh on an under-strength Celta, who acquited themselves well for the first hour before being blown away by the magic of Barca’s star front three.
Messi got a festival of brilliant goals started with a sumptuous free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner just before the half hour mark.
