Messi: I didn't know Neymar was leaving

Lionel Messi says he did not know about Neymar's decision to join Paris Saint-Germain until the last minute.

However, Gerard Pique revealed soon afterwards that the 25-year-old had given the indication that he would leave at Messi's wedding at the end of June, a story backed up last month by Xavi.

Messi, though, says he was clueless about it despite staying close to Neymar while they were on their pre-season tour in the United States.

"Honestly, no," he said to _ESPN _when asked if he knew his former team-mate would leave.

"Until the last day of the tour we were talking and we didn't know anything. He said that he still wasn't clear what to do and he didn't know what he was doing. Others said they knew. But right until the last minute, we were speaking to him."

Neymar has had a good start to life at PSG, scoring 11 goals in 12 games in all competitions as they sit four points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and three points ahead of Bayern Munich in Champions League Group B.

UCJ, UNILORIN.