Menotti offers Neymar advice

Former Argentina international Cesar Luis Menotti believes Neymar must decide whether he wants to emulate Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Brazil international is one of the hottest prospects in world football and – despite pledging his future to Brazilian Serie A club November – speculation is raging over his future.

The 19-year-old Santos forward was awarded FIFA’s Puskas Award for the best goal of 2011, and Menotti believes Neymar’s decision on his next club lies between La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“If he wants to be CR7 (Ronaldo), he should to go to Madrid. If he wants to be like Messi, he should sign for Barca,” the 73-year-old – himself a former Santos forward – told Radio Marca.

Messi won his third consecutive Ballon d’Or on Monday, and many are comparing the Argentine to the greats of the past.

Menotti, however, feels that Pele is the best player to have ever played the game.

“The best of all was Pele, who is a mixture of (Alfredo) Di Stefano, (Diego) Maradona, (Johan) Cruyff and Leo Messi,” he said.

After becoming a manager upon retirement as a player in 1969, Menotti had a short spell in charge Barcelona in 1984.

He revealed he has urged Barca coach Pep Guardiola, who has admitted he may leave Camp Nou, to stay in at the club.

“It is clear that Pep should continue for many years at the club; I told him to stay for life,” Menotti said.