Filipe Luis said he hopes Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar returns to La Liga champion Barcelona for the good of Brazilian football.
Neymar wants to leave Ligue 1 holder PSG, with a move back to former club Barca on the cards two years on from his world-record EUR 222 million exit. Real Madrid is another possible destination for Neymar, whose future is dominating headlines during the off-season.
While Filipe Luis would like to see his Brazil team-mate return to Camp Nou, the former Atletico Madrid full-back acknowledged it will not be easy. "I want him to finish in Barcelona," Filipe Luis told Cope's Tiempo de Juego program.
'It will not be easy'
"At Barca, Neymar is happy. I want him to enjoy and play next to [Lionel] Messi. I hope, for the good of Brazilian football, that Neymar returns to Barca, but I think it will not be easy."
Filipe Luis was speaking having confirmed his departure from Atletico following eight seasons with the La Liga side. The 33-year-old — who started his career at Figueirense — is reportedly set to return to Brazil via Flamengo on a free transfer.
It has been a busy off-season for Atletico, which has lost Antoine Griezmann, Lucas Hernandez, Rodri and Diego Godin but signed Joao Felix, Hector Herrera, Marcos Llorente, Kieran Trippier, Felipe and Renan Lodi.
Atletico has also been linked with Real Madrid and Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez, who is wanted by Serie A side Napoli. Filipe Luis added: "Having a player like James at Atletico would be very interesting, it would not be bad. Whoever comes will help but signing James would be spectacular."
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