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ESPN staff 8y

'Phenomenal' Neymar would be great for PSG, says Lucas Moura

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lucas Moura would love to have the "phenomenal" Neymar join him with the Ligue 1 champs, but admits getting the Brazilian star to leave Barcelona won't be easy.

Neymar, 24, was a key man in Barcelona's Treble-winning campaign last season, helping the Blaugrana to Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey titles in 2015.

For his performances, the Brazilian captain was named one of three finalists for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award, which teammate Lione Messi eventually won for a record fifth time.

Lucas, 23, and Neymar have played together in Brazil's youth national side and with the senior team, and combined for five goals in the de facto final of the 2011 South American Under-20 tournament.

Asked if he could see the duo team up again at club level, Lucas wouldn't dismiss the possibility.

"Of course, why not? To have a great player like Neymar at PSG would be a great honour," the former Sao Paulo man told Goal. "He's a phenomenal player and to have a great player is a great thing for the team. But it will be difficult for him to leave Barcelona.

"We speak sometimes. We're friends and he's a normal person. He's always happy, smiling and making jokes. On the field he's sensational."

PSG have reportedly been considering an offer for Neymar to replace star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- an offer Lucas admits would be "interesting."

"I think it would be really interesting, it could be a really good combination," Lucas said. "PSG always wants to grow, so the future depends on many things."

Lucas has found himself out of Brazil's most recent national team call up, but says he and manager Dunga remain on good terms.

"I've not spoken to him much, no. But each of the last two times I've been in touch with him, it's gone very well," he said. "There's a lot of respect between us. It's difficult to be a coach.

"Dunga has a very aggressive style with a good deal of desire and ambition to win. He wants that to resonate throughout his team. That's a good thing. It's the style that he had when he played, and he's trying to pass it onto his team. Personally, I have to continue working with my club so I can be called into the national team."

Brazil will play in the Copa America and the Olympics this summer. The five-time World champs have never won Olympic gold -- the only major senior trophy missing from the Selecao's trophy case. And while winning the tournament on home soil will be Dunga & Co.'s top priority, Lucas is hopeful Neymar can participate in both.

"Why not win them both? To play in the national side is always a great honour. Playing in the Copa America would be an important thing for me, just like the Olympics, because Brazil has never won the gold medal there," Lucas said.

"It's difficult because I'm already 23 years old, so if I'm called, I'll be one of the players to be above the maximum age. But I'm young and I'm available. I can still run if he needs me!

"I think that in the end, only Neymar can take the decision. If a player really wants to play for his country, it's difficult for the club to stop them. The clubs typically respect that desire and to have Neymar is important for Brazil. He's the biggest idol in the country and is vital to the national team."

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