RIO DE JANEIRO. Cesc Fabregas says it would be “unthinkable” for Barcelona to sell Lionel Messi, despite the arrival of Neymar earlier this summer.
RIO DE JANEIRO. Cesc Fabregas says it would be "unthinkable” for Barcelona to sell Lionel Messi, despite the arrival of Neymar earlier this summer.The Brazil superstar has joined the Camp Nou giants in a $75 million move, prompting former Barca star and manager Johan Cruyff to suggest selling the Argentine ace because of the risk of the two forwards clashing in a bid to become the team’s key man. Fabregas, though, has dismissed that suggestion and said the continuation of Messi’s stay in Barcelona will be pivotal to the club’s continued success."It is unthinkable for Messi not to be part of this club,” he said in an interview with Sport. "Leo is the most important player – he has no equal. Remove Messi and you may not lose everything, but you do run out of a large part of what makes this team tick."His individual efforts are so big that they contribute to the whole team and the club in general.”Despite insisting Messi would remain the top dog at Barca, Fabregas was pleased with the arrival of Neymar from Santos and thinks he will add to the team."I think this team deserves everything he has gained,” Fabregas said. "He has been chased by almost all of our rival teams in the world. It will definitely to be a good environment for him to learn a lot and he can help us to win and achieve our goals.”Fabregas’ own future has been under scrutiny this summer with his place in the first-team for the biggest matches still not secure because of fierce competition within the squad, but the midfielder continues to insist he is determined to fight for his place and become a success at his home club."I am eager and hoping to earn my position. I want to fight, compete and I especially like to win titles,” Fabregas said. "It was hard to get here. I fought hard and once you get the chance, you should take it. I will push forward and not lose sight of my goal, which is to win here.