Marcelo urges Neymar to make Madrid move

Brazil and Real Madrid fullback Marcelo has urged his national teammate Neymar to join him at the Spanish club as speculation mounts the world’s most expensive player will leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The former Barcelona forward’s father, Neymar Santos Jr, is reportedly in negotiations with Real officials in a bid to secure a summer move.

However, Marcelo refuted suggestions that Real striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who is said to be considering leaving the Spanish capital after nine seasons with Real, is against the move.

“Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t own Real Madrid, if the president (Florentino Perez) chooses, anyone can be there,” Marcelo told a media conference in London, where Brazil is preparing for the World Cup.

“There’s no such thing as Neymar not being there because Cristiano is there. All of the players want Ronaldo to stay at Real Madrid, but one thing is not related to the other. The door is always open for Neymar to join.

“I think the best players in the world have to play at Real Madrid, and I have been saying for two or three years that, for me, one day Neymar will be there.”

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi told Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo he hopes Real’s pursuit of Neymar comes to nothing.

“The truth is that wouldn’t please me at all,” said Messi of the prospect of meeting his ex-teammate in a Madrid shirt.

Neymar became the world’s priciest soccer player last August when he joined PSG from Barcelona for a world-record transfer fee of 222 million euros ($262 million).

Despite missing almost three months due to a foot injury, the 26-year-old scored 28 goals in all competitions last term to help PSG to a domestic treble of Ligue 1, French Cup and League Cup.

However, rumors are rife that the Brazilian is not happy in France and wants to return to Spain.