Neymar feels the season hasn’t been his best, despite Barcelona claiming the La Liga title on Saturday. The Catalan giants were crowned champions for the 24th time courtesy a Suarez hat-trick, crushing Granada 3-0.
Speaking to Globo Esporte, the Brazilian captain said, "This hasn't been my best season. I always like to improve upon my own numbers and accomplishments, each day I want to do better. I am proud of the league title we have won, not just my own performance, but that of the entire team. I have to congratulate my teammates for all the hard work they have done this season. This title took a lot of sweat, it was difficult. But in the end, we got our reward."
The season has proved to be a roller-coaster ride for Barcelona. The Catalans squandered an 11-point gap over Real Madrid following a shocking dip in form in April, losing three games in a row. But all is well that ends well.
"We must give even more value to the league title we have won," Neymar said, adding that they’ll use the lows for motivation in the next season, "We cannot forget what has happened this season and we must keep it in mind for the next one. Of course, we want the Champions League title. Next season we will once again fight for it."
The club is fully focussed on winning the Copa Del Ray in Sunday’s final and the winger believes that adding two titles to their belt will ease the pain of the Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid.
"We always want to win titles and now we have a new final," he said: "We have already won one and this week we have the second one within reach. We are all happy and motivated to win the Copa del Rey after having won La Liga.
"It hurts to not be in the Champions League final, especially knowing that we could have made it. But these are things that happen and we must accept them. I congratulate both clubs for making it to the final. It shows how difficult La Liga is," he said.
Although Neymar bettered his goal tally from the previous season, scoring 24 goals against his previous 22 while and also assisting 12 times. However, his form dipped in the second half of the season, and the Brazilian was widely accused of being the reason behind the slump in form of his team in April.
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"He is a great player, not just for scoring goals but also a playmaker. In addition to being a great teammate, he is also a great friend," Neymar opined on teammate Luis Suarez, expressing his joy on the latter winning the Pichichi award, "I am very happy for him. We must always try to help in the best way possible so that the Golden Boot is ours each season. The key to our success is how united the team are. When we help each other we are happy."
Brazil will be without Neymar for the upcoming Copa America 2016 but can expect him to be back for Rio Olympics.
