Tuesday 25 June 2013


The Netherlands legend believes the Catalans have created a potential conflict of interest within the squad by signing the Brazil starlet to play alongside the Argentine

Barcelona icon Johan Cruyff feels the Catalans should consider cashing in on Lionel Messi now they have brought Neymar on board.

The Liga champions signed Neymar in a deal worth €57 million earlier this summer and Cruyff envisages problems following the former Santos star's arrival.

"With Neymar on board, I would have planned for the possibility of selling Messi. Some would agree with me and others would not," Cruyff told Marca.

"Neymar's arrival could cause problems. Just look at free kicks for example. Neymar is very good at taking them. And Messi has already shown he is great, too. Who's going to take them...

"Or the fact that Neymar and Barcelona are with Nike while Leo is with Adidas. These are situations that could cause problems.

"You are talking about a team, its players, the things around it. There are too may things at stake. That's why it's so difficult to manage such a top class squad.

"Neymar is talented, but we will have to wait and see how he gets along with the rest of the squad. I would not have taken the risk of bringing in Neymar."

Messi has a contract with Barcelona until June 2018, while Neymar recently inked a five-year deal, too.
Barcelona striker David Villa has predicted that Brazil sensation Neymar will “make us happy” when he links up with the Spanish super club later this year.
Neymar, 21, signed for Barca in a reported USD 75.3 million (57 million euros) deal earlier this month and he has thrilled at the Confederations Cup, scoring three stunning goals to fire the hosts into the semi-finals.

Brazil’s forward Neymar celebrates after scoring against Italy on Saturday (inset) David Villa. PIC/AFP


Although Neymar’s arrival is likely to further curtail Villa’s playing time at Camp Nou, the 31-year-old says he is excited about the prospect of joining forces with Brazil’s boy wonder.

“He is one of the best players in the world right now,” Villa said, during a press conference ahead of Spain’s final Confederations Cup group game against Nigeria in Fortaleza on Sunday.  “We’ve waited a long time to get him and it’s a great pleasure to welcome a player like that to play in your country. He will make us happy.”

Brazil 4-2 Italy
Earlier on Saturday night, Brazil finished top of Confederations Cup Group ‘A’ by beating Italy in their final pool game in Salvador. Neymar maintained his record of scoring in each match at the tournament so far by grabbing his team’s second goal as the hosts forged ahead for a second time after Dante’s opener had been cancelled out by Emanuele Giaccherini.

Fred then netted twice, with Giorgio Chiellini on target in between, as the hosts extended their perfect start to the competition to head into the knockout stage — alongside the Azzurri — full of momentum.

Both teams headed into the game having already assured their places in the semi-finals, having beaten Mexico and Japan in their previous outings, and were effectively playing for the right to avoid in-form world and European champions Spain in the next round.