Henry: Neymar should change sports to escape Messi shadow

Neymar's (right) quest to win a Ballon d'Or saw him leave Messi and join PSG

Thierry Henry believes that the only way Neymar can emerge from Lionel Messi’s shadow is to change sports entirely.

Neymar shocked football by leaving Messi and Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain in August in a world-record £198million deal.

The Brazilian’s move was in part down to his desire to play away from Messi and forge a career for himself without the Argentine’s influence.

As Neymar’s current team-mate and compatriot Dani Alves explained, the 26-year-old had to make the move to escape Messi’s shadow.

But Henry, who played with Messi at Barcelona for three seasons, believes the five-time Ballon d’Or winner will always loom over the sport no matter where you play.

‘I don’t know if Neymar left Barcelona to get out of Messi’s shadow,’ Henry told Spanish outlet Marca.

‘What is true is that all players are in Messi’s shadow, and if Neymar doesn’t want to be, he should change sport.’

Neymar has made a sensational start to life in Paris with 28 goals in 29 appearances but his side are on the brink of a Champions League exit to Real Madrid, having lost 3-1 in their last-16 first leg to Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.

Ligue 1 is also considered a far less competitive division and Neymar’s chances to win the Ballon d’Or will live and die with PSG’s Champions League campaign.

Messi meanwhile scored a late equaliser for Barcelona on Tuesday evening as they drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The 30-year-old has bagged 28 goals this season as Barcelona have established a seven-point lead at the top of the Spanish league table.