Messi, Neymar pose with new Barcelona shirt in Japan

Neymar and Lionel Messi were among the big names in Japan on Thursday as Barcelona revealed their new shirt sponsors Rakuten. The Catalan side wheeled out their two biggest names alongside Gerard Pique and Arda Turan in Tokyo at the first sponsorship event of the new season.

Messi has just returned to work after an unforgettable summer which saw him marry his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in their home city of Rosario.

Raising money for Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr, over 100,000 players from 53 countries battled for a spot in the final at the amazing project.

Both players are back with their clubs now though, with their first duty being to reveal the club's new home shirt ahead of the season.

While at the event in Japan, Messi spoke openly about the new era which is about to begin at Barcelona under Ernesto Valverde.

The Argentine says he is excited to work

under the former Athletic Bilbao boss, who will manage his first game against Juventus in New Jersey next week.

'With the new manager everything will be new,' Messi said on Thursday. 'I don't know what kind of manager he is, but he is a great person.

'He was with Valencia and Bilbao, we are hearing a lot about his very good reputation, so we are pinning our hopes on this new beginning.

'Whenever I start a new season there is a very clear-cut goal, which is that Barcelona will do our best.

'Personally I am very happy and looking forward to starting a new season. We have new coaches and assistants. I would like to work with them and enjoy Barcelona for another year.'