Neymar admits he was afraid when he first saw Lionel Messi

Brazil international Neymar has admitted that he was afraid when he saw Lionel Messi and other Barcelona players ahead of his first game for the club. 

Neymar, 24, completed a move to the Camp Nou outfit from Santos back in 2013 and has quickly established himself as a leading player for the club. 

In fact, the versatile Brazilian forward is widely recognised as one of the best players in world football. 

But it's safe to say that Neymar was nervous before stepping out on the pitch with the likes of Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and co. 

The technically-gifted star has also admitted that it was 'very difficult' during the early stages of his Barcelona career but insists that Dani Alves, who has since joined Juventus, helped him settle.

NEYMAR STORY 

"I was afraid when I saw Messi and the others before my first Barcelona game," Neymar told TV Globo, as per Goal.com.

"I got into the dressing room and Messi, Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, [Gerard] Pique and Dani Alves were all there. These guys were my idols.

"It was almost as if I was playing on the Playstation. It was very difficult in the beginning.

"Dani Alves was fundamental for me when I came to Barcelona to help me adapt and become what I am now.

"I have a lot of time for him and for what he did for me at Barcelona."

WORLD CUP NIGHTMARE 

Neymar recently admitted that the World Cup in Brazil was the 'most painful' time of his career so far. Brazil, of course, were humiliated by Germany as they succumbed to a horrifying 7-1 defeat in the semi-finals. 

The Barcelona man missed the game through injury after Colombia ace Camilo Zuniga produced a poor challenge on him during the quarter-final of the competition.

And Neymar has gone as far as saying that the injury he picked up in the World Cup could have ended his career. 

Neymar told La Gazzetta dello Sport, as per the Daily Mail: "I have had a number of difficult moments in my career, but what happened during the World Cup in Brazil is the most painful.

"It was my childhood dream to become world champion on home soil, but it all went wrong because of an injury that could have forced me to leave football altogether.

"That was a really difficult week for me. Fortunately I was close to my friends and family. It's important to be able to call on the help of your beloved ones in a moment like that."

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