Leo Messi turned 29 on Friday, and from his friend Neymar's website, they wanted to congratulate him by publishing a video interview recorded with the Argentine star.

Josep Capdevila

Speaking about what he knew of Neymar before the Brazilian's signing for Barcelona, Leo said: "I knew him from being at Santos. I knew his father from even earlier, having met him at a game for Deco's charity. In footballing terms, I knew of Neymar for what he was doing in Brazil and the Copa Libertadores.

I was very surprised by his personality, how he is, he is still very young and joyful, he lives happily, a kid without any evil at all in him. An incredible person."

Many believe a great part of Barça's success stems from the excellent relationship between their front three of Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez. Leo explained the relationship between them: "It is something that happened naturally, on its own, it was not a relationship that we were searching for. It is all very natural, very real. We began to get on really well off the pitch and that soon leads to things being easier on the pitch. It also possible that things were easier with the three of us being South Americans and so we live through similar things. That brought us together a lot."

Questioned whether there are similarities in the relationship he had with Ronaldinho, and the one he now has with Neymar, Leo responds: "When I came to Barça, I was very young, as Ney was when he arrived. In a sense, Ronaldinho, and all the Brazilians in the squad at the time, took me under their wing. They treated me spectacularly well.

Ney integrated himself very quickly into the group due to the type of person he is. The truth is I had a great relationship with all (those Brazilians) and I continue to do so with Ronaldinho, Deco, Motta, Sylvinho, I still speak to them."

Messi admits that Neymar considers him his idol and this embarrasses him: "He always says he is a fan of mine and that embarrasses me a little, because he tells me to my face that he is a fanatic of mine.

Even when he came, I realised that when he would say it, he would mean it. It is how he felt and it made me very happy that a kid like him would say these things about me and that we can continue to have that good relationship to this day."

The interviewer comments that Leo is a reference point in world football, Messi replies: "It is something I treat with calmness, trying to be in each moment how I actually am in reality.

I do not have to be false, I am as you see me, and it makes me happy that people admire me and take me as an example. But the truth is I am normal in everyday life, like when I am at home."

Asked what the future holds for him, Messi says: "I don't think about it. I do not have anything planned out at the moment, I am focused on enjoying the moment. Playing football is what I like to do and when the time comes, I will see what I end up doing. At the moment, I have no idea."

The video then ends with a quickfire questionnaire:

If you were not a footballer, what would you be?

"I don't know, I have no idea. Since I was little, I dreamt of playing football and didn't think about anything else."

Maradona or Messi?

(Laughs) "Maradona"

World Cup or Ballon d'Or?

"World Cup"

Would Neymar get in the Argentina team?

"In any team, Neymar would have a place wherever he wanted. A unique player such as him could play wherever he wished."

Which goal do you consider your best?

"I always say that I consider the importance of the goal, more than for its beauty and so mine would be the first I scored in a Champions League final, with a header (against Manchester United in 2009), for the importance it had."

Neymar Jr or Ronaldinho?

(More laughs) "Ohhhh! That's very difficult! I am happy to have played with both of them. It is a tough thing to happen and I have been fortunate to have played with each of them, so it is very difficult to choose just one."