Cruyff urges Neymar caution

Posted Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Goal.com

The legendary Dutchman feels it would be unfair to expect wonders from the attacker right away and has stressed that Lionel Messi cannot be held responsible for alleged tax fraud

Barcelona icon Johan Cruyff has urged supporters to be patient with Neymar as the Brazil international adapts to his new Camp Nou surroundings.

The 21-year-old recently completed his €57 million from Santos to the Blaugrana and many have been quick to debate whether or not he will be a success in Spain.

"We will have to wait and see to find out if Neymar is a good fit at Barcelona. The entire world has been writing about him, but we should give him time," the Dutchman was quoted as saying by Sport.

"The important thing is not to put too much pressure on him and let him do his thing. People already expect him to win things before he's even started at Barcelona."

Cruyff then went on to discuss the tax fraud allegations against Lionel Messi and stressed that the Argentina international is innocent.

He said: "Do people really think that Messi knows even a little bit about the tax system? Just like me, he doesn't know anything about it. It's like having to call an electrician to change a light bulb.

"We pay a fortune for someone to deal with tax matters. In the end, Messi and I will be responsible for it, but that's not the actual situation. If there are any wrongdoings, Messi is not the culprit, but the people he pays to look after his tax matters."

The Spanish tax authorities are investigating claims that the Argentine has avoided paying the charges due from sales of his image rights by operating through companies based outside of the country.