Messi and Neymar can play together, claims Guardiola

Posted Sunday, July 14, 2013 by Goal.com

The former Blaugrana boss believes two of the club's prized-assets will successfully co-exist at Camp Nou ahead of the new season

Pep Guardiola is convinced Lionel Messi and Neymar will combine to devastating effect for Barcelona next season.

The former Santos starlet secured his move to Camp Nou earlier in the summer and, but sections of the media have questioned whether the pair will be a good fit together due to their similar styles of play.

However, the Bayern Munich boss took some time out from verbally jousting with his former club to assert that the pair will have no difficulties playing together next season.

He told Lance: "Barca have always had some of the best players in the world at their disposal, and Neymar and Messi are undoubtedly two of the best at the moment.

"I know Messi very well. He is a fantastic person as well as player. I have met Neymar too and he seems like a good lad and I'm sure they will have no problem playing together."

The 42-year-old then turned his attentions towards next summer's World Cup, and believes his native Spain will go into the competition as favourites to retain their title - despite their 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final a fortnight ago.

He added: "It seemed perfectly normal to me that Spain lost [to Brazil]. They were physically better than us.

"But I believe that Spain are still favourites going into the World Cup."

Neymar is set to make his competitive debut for the Blaugrana when they open their Liga season against Levante on August 18.