Neymar interview: I like the word "treble" but I've learned a new one... "sextuple"

Neymar smiles. His son Davi Lucca, who at the end of August turns four, grabs his leg and asks for more attention during a media avalanche. The pair are in the Neymar Junior Project Institute (INJR), a charity initiative started by the Barcelona 'crack', and over 2,000 children at the risk of social exclusion, from the neighbourhood Jardim Gloria (in Praia Grande), where Neymar spent his youth, turn up. "I am happy, calm, enjoying my holidays, taking advantage of the time I have to be in my country, with my family, with my friends, with mine," he explained.

"You haven't lost your hunger for titles?" asks SPORT. Neymar lets out a hearty laugh. "This, never! The season has been wonderful, something incredible, but I always want more. I'm never satisfied, I maintain the same hunger to keep winning more leagues, Champions Leagues, Copas. The people can be calm because we want more."

The star had been at his best last season, enjoying days at a maximum level both professionally and personally. It was a year in which he consolidated his status as a 'crack', who can truly make the difference on the pitch. Now is the time to savour the three titles and his key role in a year that will go down as one of the greatest in Barcelona's history. "Treble is a beautiful word, but I have learned another that I like more - it's sextuple. And this has to be our objective, we have to prepare ourselves to be ready to conquer immediately."

Neymar thinks big. He knows the opportunity to complete a perfect year, with six titles won out of six, is a once in a lifetime career opportunity. He left Santos at 21, the biggest idol of the club in the post-Pele era. And with Brazil he is the fifth highest goalscorer - given his youth nobody doubts he wil smash all the records, including those set by the legend Pele.

His recent participation at the Copa America means he will not be present on the club's North American tour until July 19. He will arrive in time to play in the European Super Cup against Sevilla, on August 11, and the Spanish Super Cup, against Athletic Club. This is not something that worries him; with Santos in Brazil the calendar often forced stars to play without much preparation. 

The Brazil star will return from holiday fully charged, thirsty for glory and ready for preseason. "If we won the treble it's because we worked very hard and prepared very well. Current football is very balanced, now there are no little opponents, the results don't arrive by chance or through luck, you have to train very hard," he said.

It is interesting to note that both Neymar and Lionel Messi have received criticism for their respective Copa America campaigns with the Selecao and the Albiceleste. Neymar does not shy away from criticism, saying: "I always take responsibility, I never hide from it, but in football you can't always win. One has to learn how to deal with defeat, and I think in the Copa America Brazil formed a good base to head into the World Cup qualifiers with." 

Neymar also offered his support to Messi, who was criticised by the Argentine press for not winning the tournament. "Everyone we were with during the whole year, and our fans know that Leo is the best, he is No 1," said the Brazilian. When it comes to this subject, the forward doesn't joke. 

Neymar is conscious of the connection and feeling between Leo, Luis Suarez and himself, which is one of the key elements of the current Barcelona side. He closes ranks and will not allow any external criticism to undermine the trident, one of the best forward lines which has ever existed.