- Title: Barca coach welcomes Neymar contract renewal ahead of Valencia clash
- Date: 21st October 2016
- Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (OCTOBER 21, 2016) (REUTERS) FC BARCELONA PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH FORWARD LIONEL MESSI AND STRIKER LUIS SUAREZ ON TRAINING PITCH BARCELONA COACH LUIS ENRIQUE AND HIS STAFF ON TRAINING PITCH VARIOUS OF PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH GOALKEEPER MARC-ANDRE TER STEGEN ON TRAINING PITCH VARIOUS OF PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH COACH LUIS ENRIQUE MARTINEZ ARRIVING TO NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM LUIS ENRIQUE'S FACE CAMERAMEN / LUIS ENRIQUE JOURNALISTS ATTENDING CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING: "Great news. It shows the evolution and the level of the player since he arrived at the club and what he represents as a player. He's one of the best players in the world without any doubt. This is also great news because it means the player has confidence in the club and and he is happy with his teammates and he wants to continue winning titles." BARCELONA FORWARD NEYMAR ON TRAINING PITCH (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING: "Prandelli was Italy's national team coach when I was in Rome. He widely demonstrated his potential and high level. More than enough conditions for a very good performance in Valencia. The only thing he will need is what all coaches need: enough time to do his job. His success then will depend on the patience of Valencia's directors, but he is a very well prepared coach." LUIS ENRIQUE TALKING WITH PLAYERS ON TRAINING PITCH (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BARCELONA COACH, LUIS ENRIQUE, SAYING: "Valencia fans' enthusiasm will make this match complicated. I don't remember an easy match there, let's not forget that in recent years they have had a lot of coaches and that means the team has not been easily allowed to grow and make improvements but they have players with an interesting high level." LUIS ENRIQUE LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM
- Embargoed: 5th November 2016 16:50
- Keywords: Soccer Barcelona Luis Enrique Valencia Neymar contract
- Location: BARCELONA, SPAIN
- City: BARCELONA, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA00154Y71A7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Barcelona's coach on Friday (October 21) welcomed the five-year contract renewal of Brazil forward Neymar.
"Great news. It shows the evolution and the level of the player since he arrived at the club and what he represents as a player. He's one of the best players in the world without any doubt, Barca coach Luis Enrique said at a news conference ahead of the team's La Liga clash against Valencia.
Neymar signed the renewal earlier in the day. The 24-year-old joined Barcelona from Santos in 2013, winning nine trophies including two La Liga titles and the 2015 Champions League final in which he scored in the 3-1 win over Juventus.
Barcelona are in the middle of an injury crisis as they head to Valencia for Saturday's La Liga game looking to keep up with pacemaking pair Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
Valencia are coming off an encouraging 2-1 victory over Sporting Gijon in Cesare Prandelli's first game in charge.
"Prandelli was Italy's national team coach when I was in Rome. He widely demonstrated his potential and high level. More than enough conditions for a very good performance in Valencia," Enrique said.
Barca are fourth in La Liga, two points adrift of Atletico and Real and one behind third-placed Sevilla.
Without injured goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and right back Sergi Roberto for the last two games, Barca will also be missing defenders Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique after both were hurt in Wednesday's 4-0 win over Manchester City in the Champions League. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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