Neymar left Barcelona to pursue a new challenge in Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain in August, touching down at the Parc des Princes for a huge £200million.
As his Nou Camp career wound down, reports emerged saying Messi had done everything to try and tempt the Brazil international into continuing in Catalonia.
However, despite the two players being close on and off the pitch, the Argentina international was unable to convince his fellow South American into staying.
And Spanish outlet Diario Gol claims the pair were so close that Neymar invited Messi to a party hosted by Real Madrid defender Marcelo in April.
At the time, both Barcelona and Real were fighting it out for the La Liga title.