Santos coach urges Barca move for Neymar

Santos coach Muricy Ramalho says Neymar should sign for Barcelona if he leaves Brazil due to the teams’ similar playing style.

The 57-year-old said that he would like to see the Brazilian star play alongside Lionel Messi in the future and not move to Barcelona’s rivals Real Madrid, who have been heavily linked with the 20-year-old.

“Neymar is now the fourth or fifth best player in the world, but after the 2014 World Cup he will be at a very good level. Seeing Neymar and Messi at Barcelona together would be the cutest thing in football,” Ramalho told La Xarxa Radio.

“Barcelona are a lot like us because they are a team who like to play football and I think for Neymar the best team to play for is Barcelona.”

The 20-year-old has been tipped for a move to Europe since breaking onto the scene with some eye-catching displays at both club and international level, but Ramalho has warned the youngster not to leave South America until the World Cup is over in his home country in 2014.

He continued: “Neymar should move to Europe after the World Cup. Neymar should carefully choose the club he goes to and he is suited best for Barcelona.”

The former Fluminese coach also tipped Argentina captain Messi for January’s Ballon d’Or after the attacker’s record-breaking year.

He added: “Messi equals nobody. (Andres) Iniesta is one of the best in the world but I think the Ballon d’Or falls easily to Messi, who is breaking all records and is a player who will continue to make things memorable.”