Neymar: Lionel Messi's penalty pass was meant for me, not Luis Suarez

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According to ESPN website, Barcelona forward Neymar said Lionel Messi's penalty pass to Luis Suarez in Sunday's 6-1 win over Celta Vigo was meant for him instead.

With Barcelona leading 3-1 in the 82nd minute, Messi stepped up to the penalty spot, but instead of shooting, he laid the ball off for Suarez to rush onto it and complete his hat trick.

But Neymar claimed he was the intended target when the players initially tried out the audacious attempt.

Neymar was quoted saying:

"It was for me, we had practiced it in training!" he said with a smile. "Leo and myself had practiced but Luis was closer and he scored it.

"Our friendship is the most important thing. It doesn't matter who scores the goals just that we win the games."

Midfielder Andres Iniesta said he wasn't sure for whom the pass was intended.

"I had never seen them do it but I had heard them discuss it," he said. "Perhaps it was for Neymar but Luis was there so he converted it."

Messi's decision to pass was particularly notable because it meant Messi, who earlier scored his 299th goal in La Liga on a long free kick, had to wait for his landmark 300th.

Defender Jordi Alba said he had no idea that Messi would pass the ball.

"I didn't know because it's not usual to pass, but he is always coming up with things," Alba said. "It went well. The penalty was perfect. I don't know if they talked about it, but they're always trying things."

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique said there was no disrespect in the indirect penalty, a sentiment shared by his opposite number as well.