Lionel Messi has given his backing to Barcelona if the Blaugrana choose to buy Neymar from Santos.

 

The Argentine recently came face to face with the 19-year-old, who has been surrounded by hype for the last 12 months, in the Club World Cup final.

 

In Japan though Neymar had little chance to impress with Barcelona producing a dominant display to run out comfortable 4-0 winners.

 

The Santos forward, who was voted Brazilian Player of the Year for 2011, ensured he grabbed Messi’s shirt at the final whistle, in a sign of his admiration for the Barcelona star.

 

And Messi would not at all be disappointed if the Brazilian landed at the Camp Nou.

 

"I don’t know if he’ll come or not, but he is a great player", Messi told Catalan daily Sport.

 

"I would be delighted to welcome him to the squad", added the Argentine.

 

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