Paulinho: I'm here to help Messi keep being the best player in the world
The Brazilian says it's a privilege to play alongside Messi
"Being by the side of Messi is special for me," Paulinho said
Paulinho Bezerra, Barcelona midfielder, said on Tuesday, ahead of the Champions League game with Olympiakos, that one of his jobs in the team is to "work hard" so that Lionel Messi can continue to be the best player in the world.
The Brazilan thanks Messi for his "incredible help" while he's been adapting to the team and reiterated that it's a "privilege" to play alongside the Argentine.
"We all work hard so that he can play his football, in that sense it's a privilege to run so that he can stand out and continue to be the best," Paulinho said.
"If you're playing alongside him, you have to help him so that the ball reaches him in good areas."
Asked to compare Neymar and Messi, Paulinho said: "They're both great players, but different. But they're both impressive, top level footballers. For me, it's a privilege to play with one for my country and the other with my club."
Paulinho also spoke about his role in the team: "I have a lot of freedom in my position, here and with the national team. The coaches give me freedom to get forward, set up goals, score, too. They’re my characteristics and I think my strengths. I try to do the best possible, but I always want to improve and help my team-mates."
In his first season in the Champions League, Paulinho said he's "very satisifed" and said he wants to "take advantage" of the chances he's given.
NOTHING TO PROVE
Paulinho has overcome the doubts which surrounded his signing, although he insists that he has "nothing to demonstrate to anyone, just to those that took a chance on me and brought me to Barcelona."
When asked about any poersonal motivations, he said: "The simple fact of playing for Barça is the maximum motivation you can have."
He also said that he's not spoken with Neymar about his decision to leave Barça for Paris Saint-Germain: "It’s a personal decision. I have not spoken with him about it, so I don’t know if he regrets it or not."
