Levante vs Barcelona - Dani Alves tells Barcelona they would be 'crazy' not to tie Neymar down - 7M sport

Levante vs Barcelona - Dani Alves tells Barcelona they would be 'crazy' not to tie Neymar down



Posted Friday, February 05, 2016 by PA

Dani Alves says Barcelona would be "crazy" not to tie Neymar down to a new contract at the Nou Camp, saying his fellow Brazilian has the ability to follow in the footsteps of record-breaking forward Lionel Messi.

Neymar has formed a formidable attacking triumvirate at Barca alongside Messi and Luis Suarez but his long-term future at the Nou Camp has been the source of much speculation, with reports this week suggesting Manchester United made a world-record offer for his services.

Neymar's current deal with Barcelona runs out in 2018 but Alves believes the European champions need to do all they can to ensure the 24-year-old remains at the Nou Camp beyond that.

He told Spanish radio station Onda Cero: "Brazilians have always had an extraordinary relationship here. Here you have to understand football. He has two years of contract left but they have to renew it, if not they are crazy."

Between them, Neymar, Messi and Suarez have scored over 80 goals in all competitions for Barca this season, with the Brazilian's contribution being 21 and Alves believes his compatriot has a huge role to play in the club's future.

He added: "Neymar is going to follow Messi, because he's very good. There's no one capable of doing what he does. What he does, at the speed he does it, there's nobody."

Barca, fresh from their 7-0 mauling of Valencia in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final in midweek, travel to Levante this weekend looking to stay clear of the chasing pack in La Liga.

Luis Enrique's men are currently three points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of the table and four above Real Madrid.

The Catalan giants also have a game in hand on all their rivals at the summit, and things are looking pretty good at present in Barca's bid to retain all three major titles they won last season.

Alves said: "The future is promising if we do our jobs. We have to continue enjoying ourselves and if after that we can win a lot of things, then so much the better. We'll achieve our objective if we carry on as we're doing."

Opponents Levante remain rooted to the foot of the table, three points adrift of second-bottom Granada, but they have won their last two home matches - doubling their win tally for the season.

That has boosted confidence at the club but with Barca having netted 31 goals in their last seven meetings with Levante - as well as putting seven past their city rivals in midweek - the Valencia-based side could be forgiven for having just a bit of trepidation going into Sunday's game.

However, striker Giuseppe Rossi says that is not the case.

He told a press conference: "It's nonsense to say we're afraid. We know how to play football and we're determined to have a good game.

"We will fight to stay in the Primera Division."

He added of this weekend's match: "Everyone is looking for the secret to beat them (Barca), but they are very good throughout.

"We all have a responsibility. We're professionals and we know what we need to do on the pitch to have a good game."



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