Neymar advised to join Barca

Former Barcelona attacker Giovanni has advised Santos star Neymar to further his career at Camp Nou.

The 19-year-old prodigy has long been linked with a move to Europe, with Barca and Real Madrid touted as the likeliest destinations.

Neymar has persistently declared that he will not leave his homeland before 2014, but speculation about the Brazil international’s future remains rife.

Giovanni, who played at Barcelona between 1996 and 1999, believes that La Liga would be the best place for Neymar to flourish and has recommended Camp Nou to his compatriot.

“I advise Neymar to come to Spain,” he told COM Radio. “The best football for him is the Spanish one. I want him to come to Barca, always Barca.”

“Neymar will keep growing, he is a star. He makes brilliant plays, he is very fast and changes direction very quickly.”

“He is like (Lionel) Messi, but you cannot compare the two, because their playing styles are different.”

The 39-year-old, who retired from football in 2010, then praised Barca coach Pep Guardiola, with whom he played during his time at the Catalan side.

“I am very happy for Guardiola, we had a very good relationship, our wives were close friends,” Giovanni added.

“Guardiola is a symbol of Barca, he was born at the club and he an institution himself.”