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Neymar sends warning to 'rival' Lionel Messi ahead of the Copa America final

Brazil star Neymar has sent a warning to 'rival' Lionel Messi ahead of the Copa America final.

Selecao have the chance to claim a second successive Copa America title when they take on Lionel Scaloni's charges in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Neymar and Messi enjoyed a great relationship on and off the pitch during their time at FC Barcelona, where they formed a deadly attack with Luis Suarez.

However, the Paris Saint-Germain star has made it clear that they are rivals on Sunday and even joked that their friendship is on the line.

"Messi is, as I've always said, the best player I've ever seen play and he's a great friend," he said, according to AS.

"But now we're in a final, we're rivals. I want to win and I really want to win this title, which would be my first Copa America.

"Messi has been looking for his first title with the national team for many years, and every time we (Brazil) are not present at the tournament, I cheered for him.

"That's what I've been cheering for in the 2014 World Cup final, when he faced Germany.

"Now Brazil is in the dispute, so our friendship is on the line (laughs). The respect between us is still great, but only one can win."

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