Lionel Messi and his sons have received a special gesture from former Barcelona team-mate Neymar, with Santos sending signed No.10 shirts to the Inter Miami star and his children, Thiago, Mateo and Ciro.
The shirts, which quickly went viral on social media, celebrate the iconic No.10 worn by Neymar, Messi and Brazilian legend Pelé, underlining the enduring bond between the two modern greats.
A Legendary Barcelona Connection
Messi and Neymar formed a close friendship during their time together at Barcelona in the 2010s, where they enjoyed immense success. Alongside Luis Suárez, the pair were part of the famed ‘MSN’ attacking trio, winning eight major trophies, including a historic Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble in 2014–15.
Their partnership was briefly reunited at Paris Saint-Germain after Neymar’s world-record move from Barcelona in 2017 and Messi’s arrival in Paris in 2021. Despite moving on from PSG in 2023, the pair have remained close friends.
The Gift from Santos
The latest reminder of that friendship came when Neymar arranged for Santos to send replica No.10 jerseys to Messi and his sons. A post shared by the Brazilian club read:
“From Neymar Jr. to Lionel Messi. From the Prince to the Genius.
The sacred shirt, of immeasurable value, with the number immortalised by the King.
10 for Neymar. 10 for Messi. 10 for Pelé.
An infinite legacy in the history of football.”
Different Paths, Same Brilliance
While they no longer share a dressing room, both stars continue to make an impact. Messi has flourished at Inter Miami, winning the 2025 MLS Cup, 2024 Supporters’ Shield and 2023 Leagues Cup, further boosting the profile of Major League Soccer.
Neymar, meanwhile, returned to his boyhood club Santos after an injury-hit spell at Al-Hilal. He played a key role in helping Santos avoid relegation in the 2025 Brazilian Serie A, and the club will be hoping for a more stable campaign in 2026.
The Brazilian forward is still working his way back to full fitness but could return for Santos’ upcoming league clash with Athletico Paranaense.