​Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has claimed that the La Liga leaders are a stronger outfit as a whole without the world's most expensive player, Neymar. 

The Brazil international swapped the Camp Nou in the summer for Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking €222m (£200m) move, and there were concerns as to how Ernesto Valverde's side would react following such a loss. 

However, the Blaugrana and their Spaniard in charge have gone on to silence critics so far this season, maintaining an undefeated record in both ​La Liga and the Champions League and have tasted defeat just once competitively since the 25-year-old's exit, which came in their surprise 1-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Espanyol earlier this month. 



​Barcelona as a whole have looked a more reunited outfit compared to the previous 12 months, Supercopa de Espana defeat aside, and Messi believes Neymar's absence has been a significant factor in that. 

"Without Neymar we are more balanced", the Argentine explained in an interview with World Soccer, as quoted by ​Marca.

"His departure meant a change in our way of playing, we lost a lot of attacking potential, but it helped in the defensive sense.
"We are currently very well armed in the midfield; this makes us stronger in defence."

Los Cules take on defending ​Premier Leaguetitle holders Chelsea in their upcoming Champions League last-16 clash next month, a side Messi has failed to score against in his eight attempts, but the 30-year-old believes it is in fact this year's English champions elect who pose the greatest threat in the competition. 
"​Manchester City are one of the strongest teams in the world at this moment", he added.

"The same goes for PSG, but there is a lot of football left and I don't rule ​Real Madrid out.

"They have a lot of quality and experience, then there is ​Bayern Munich who are a great team who will fight to the end.

​Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has claimed that the La Liga leaders are a stronger outfit as a whole without the world's most expensive player, Neymar. 

The Brazil international swapped the Camp Nou in the summer for Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking €222m (£200m) move, and there were concerns as to how Ernesto Valverde's side would react following such a loss. 

However, the Blaugrana and their Spaniard in charge have gone on to silence critics so far this season, maintaining an undefeated record in both ​La Liga and the Champions League and have tasted defeat just once competitively since the 25-year-old's exit, which came in their surprise 1-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Espanyol earlier this month. 



​Barcelona as a whole have looked a more reunited outfit compared to the previous 12 months, Supercopa de Espana defeat aside, and Messi believes Neymar's absence has been a significant factor in that. 

"Without Neymar we are more balanced", the Argentine explained in an interview with World Soccer, as quoted by ​Marca.

"His departure meant a change in our way of playing, we lost a lot of attacking potential, but it helped in the defensive sense.
"We are currently very well armed in the midfield; this makes us stronger in defence."

Los Cules take on defending ​Premier Leaguetitle holders Chelsea in their upcoming Champions League last-16 clash next month, a side Messi has failed to score against in his eight attempts, but the 30-year-old believes it is in fact this year's English champions elect who pose the greatest threat in the competition. 
"​Manchester City are one of the strongest teams in the world at this moment", he added.

"The same goes for PSG, but there is a lot of football left and I don't rule ​Real Madrid out.

"They have a lot of quality and experience, then there is ​Bayern Munich who are a great team who will fight to the end.