Tuesday, 25th June, 2013
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has insisted that the pairing of Lionel Messi and Neymar at Barcelona will turn out to be a risky one.
The former Barcelona manager explained that he would have thought of selling the Argentine talisman, following the capture of the Brazilian sensation.
The 66-year-old also admitted that he would never have taken the risk of signing Neymar, considering Messi was already part of the squad.
“It could [create jealousy in the dressing room]. It’s like the free kicks. Neymar is very good at taking them. And Messi has already shown he is. Who’s going to take them?”, Cruyff told Spanish daily Marca.
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“Or the fact that Neymar and Barcelona are with Nike while Leo is with Adidas. These are situations that could cause problems.
“Undoubtedly, we’ll have to wait and see – it could turn out well or badly. It’s a risk.”
Neymar, 21, was snapped up by the Catalan giants last month on a five-year deal from his boyhood club Santos, where he had received rave reviews.
The Brazil international is currently featuring for the Selecao in the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup, and has scored three times in the tournament so far.
Meanwhile, Messi, 26, has been with Barcelona since 2000 and has lifted six La Liga titles with the club since making his senior debut in 2004.
The Argentine has also bagged three Champions League crowns with the club, and a host of other individual awards.
Both players’ contracts at the Camp Nou run until June 2018.
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