Barcelona star Raphinha admits team-mate Lamine Yamal asked if Neymar would reply to his message ahead of link-up in Brazil and claims Ballon d'Or contender now has access to 'anything he wants'

Yamal was photographed with Neymar in Brazil during his post-season holidays, a meeting that it turns out Raphinha helped to facilitate. Yamal's Barcelona team-mate also claimed the 17-year-old has access to "anything he wants".

Raphinha said: "He asked me if I was going to text Neymar, if he was going to reply. And I told him of course he's going to reply. I think with the level he's reached, he has access to anything he wants or anyone, even Neymar Jr. It's no coincidence the two of them were together."

Yamal has scored 25 goals and assisted 34 since breaking into the Barcelona first team, emerging as arguably one of the best players on the planet aged just 17. He looks set to make at least as big a success of his Barca career as Neymar, who spent four years with the club between 2013-2017.

Yamal is enjoying the first proper break of his senior career, before joining up with Barcelona for their pre-season tour to Japan and South Korea.