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Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos swaps jersey's with Neymar, 'hopes' he leaves Barcelona

By Alex Butler
Barcelona's Neymar (11) races for the ball against Real Madrid's Daniel Carvajal (2) in the second half of the El Clasico Miami match at the Hard Rock Stadium Saturday in Miami, Fla. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI
1 of 3 | Barcelona's Neymar (11) races for the ball against Real Madrid's Daniel Carvajal (2) in the second half of the El Clasico Miami match at the Hard Rock Stadium Saturday in Miami, Fla. Photo by Gary I Rothstein/UPI | License Photo

July 30 (UPI) -- More than 66,000 fans watched Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 Saturday in Miami. Madrid's Sergio Ramos hopes it's the last time he faces Neymar in a Barcelona shirt.

The Spanish star defender swapped his Los Blancos No. 4 jersey with Neymar for his No. 11 after the tight International Champions Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Neymar has been rumored in trade talks, linked to French club Paris Saint-Germain, relentlessly this summer.

"I don't know, everybody is free to decide their own future," Ramos said. "I hope it does happen, it'll be one less problem for us. I swapped shirts with him after the game and hopefully it'll be the last one he's worn for Barcelona."

Neymar exited the pitch just one minute into the match, limping off of the field following a challenge. He walked back on a few moments later, exciting a crowd already disappointed by the absence of Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lionel Messi started the game's scoring with an impeccable finish past keeper Keylor Naves just three minutes in. Sergio Busquets tapped the assist on that play, but Neymar would tally the next two helpers. He dished a through-ball to Ivan Rakitic at the seven-minute mark. Rakitic found the ball in the box and finished to give Barcelona a 2-0 lead. Real Madrid would score the next two goals before Neymar found Gerard Pique in the 50th minute for the go-ahead strike. Pique caught a cross in front of net and finished the assist with a strong volley.

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While much of the speculation surrounding Neymar has continued to be just that, speculation, Neymar's coach says he sees the Brazilian staying with the Spanish side.

"Neymar is here, we have him and we think he will help us this season," Valverde told reporters," Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde said.

"I do not want to speculate. I see Neymar in the same place I have seen him recently - on the pitch with us."

Pique recently told ESPN that Neymar "doesn't know what to do" regarding his possible departure.

"Neymar and I we are very close and I want him to stay and I know the situation," Pique told ESPNFC. "Right now he doesn't know what to do and we are trying to help him, the ones [on Barcelona] that are more close to him to take the right decision."

"It depends on what he wants," Pique said. "He can be in all the clubs in all the world. He can be in Paris, Barcelona, Chelsea or City. All the clubs will want him. It's about your priorities. What do you want? Do you want more money? Do you want to win titles?"

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Barcelona's next match comes on Aug. 8 against Chapescoense at Camp Nou.

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