Those 12 intense days Valverde and Neymar shared together at Barça

On the 1st June 2017 Ernesto Valverde was officially confirmed as the new manager of FC Barcelona. His first month in charge was relatively quiet with the main source of news coming from Cristiano Ronaldo's court date over unpaid tax. In terms of football stories, Marco Verratti was linked with a move from PSG to Barça.

This was the calm before the story. SPORT's newspaper on the 17th July reported that Neymar was uncomfortable at the club and his representatives felt it was the right time to look for a new challenge. The Brazilian apparently felt he couldn't ascend to the top of the football mountain if he was stuck in Messi's shadow.

SPORT, once again, announced that what was about to happen: "PSG are coming for Neymar." Robert Fernandez, then in charge of transfer dealings at the club, immediately tried to pour water on the fire. "No club will pay his buyout clause."

Valverde was told to keep talk about Neymar limited to his role at Barça and not discuss talk of a move away.

The first time the new coach and Neymar actually met was on the 19th July when the Brazilian joined up with the team to begin their preseason tour of the United States. 

It was on this flight that Bartomeu approached Valverde and gave him the bad news. "We've got a problem with Neymar." The president did his best to ease fears of Neymar leaving the club. "He isn't for sale. These clauses are impossible to activate if you wish to comply with Financial Fair Play rules."

SPORT had heard that PSG were willing to break the bank and sign Neymar for his €222m buyout clause.

After the first day of training in the US, Valverde once again faced the press alongside Sergi Busquets. "We are counting on Neymar.. and he with us."

Busquets went one further. "Neymar knows there isn't a better place to be than right here."

Neymar played 45 minutes against Juventus and scored a brace, delighting the onlooking crowds. Valverde once again insisted that the Brazilain wouldn't be leaving the club. "We know what he brings to our play, the dressing room and the group dynamic. We want him to stay with us. That's clear."

Gerard Pique then posted a now famous photo alongside Neymar with the captain: "He's staying." A couple of days later and when the situation was now a lot less clear, Pique added it was just his own personal opinion.

Neymar didn't say a word. He only attended training and played when he was asked to. His goal was enough to beat Manchester United in the next friendly. 

In the following day's training session, Neymar exploded. After a late tackle from new arrival Nelson Semedo, the two had to be dragged away from his other.

Neymar left the training session without Valverde's permission. This was slowly getting out of control and the main leaders in the dressing room bit their tongues.

The trick: commission for his recent renewal

Once again, SPORT had another exclusive on the Brazilian star. His father had asked FC Barcelona to pay him a commission he was owed for the most recent contract renewal. It was set to be paid on the 1st of August.

This demand put Barça on edge. They felt Neymar and his family were taking advantage of the situation by demanding €26m early. This is why they had kept the talks with PSG quiet when the talks were ongoing.

On the 29th July, Neymar played his last match for Barça. He did so by beating Real Madrid 3-2 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Brazilian completed 73 minutes. After the match, Valverde once again towed the company line. "We are counting on Neymar. I've seen him out on the pitch and I hope he stays here."

That was the last night Valverde and Neymar saw each other. He didn't board the plane alongside his teammates. Barça had won the International Champions Cup but they'd lost the heir to Lionel Messi.

Two years later and the two could be on the verge of being reunited.