Messi excited to join forces with Neymar... despite Cruyff's claims striker could be sold

Lionel Messi believes he and Neymar can propel Barcelona to a new level, despite club favourite Johan Cruyff suggesting the Argentina captain might be sold to make way for the new arrival.
The former Ajax and Holland star claimed the Spanish champions could offload the four-time Ballon d'Or winner after Neymar completed his £48million move to the Nou Camp.
'No, I wouldn't have signed Neymar,' Cruyff told Marca. 'With Neymar on board, I would have planned for the possibility of selling Messi - and some would agree with that, others not.

Too many cooks: Neymar and Lionel Messi are set to line up at Barcelona following the Brazilian's arrival

WHO SCORES HIGHER?

In 2012, his last full season in Brazil, Neymar scored 43 goals in 47 games for Santos.
However, Lionel Messi eclipsed that in 2012-13, scoring 50 goals in 60 games for Barcelona.
So, even though the Brazilian has a superb scoring record, it is not comparable with that of the Argentina star's.

'You are talking about a team, its players, the things around it ... There are too many things at stake. That's why it's so difficult to manage such a top class squad.'

But Messi is looking forward to teaming up with the 21-year-old Brazilian and believes they will fit into the same system.
'I know Neymar is a great player who is going to bring a lot to Barcelona,' he said. 'God willing, we will be able to play together at Barca.'
Meanwhile, Messi's former manager Pep Guardiola started work at Bayern Munich this week, and the forward believes he can make the treble-winners even stronger. But Messi is relishing the competition against his old mentor in Europe.

Added firepower: Neymar (left) has scored some stunning goals at this year's Confederations Cup

Making his point: Johann Cruyff claims Neymar's arrival could cause problems at Barcelona this season

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'I think we have a great team and great players, as we've shown over the years,' he said. 'I think the arrival of Guardiola will make Bayern stronger. Winning the Champions League is always difficult and our objective is trying to win everything and succeed in all competitions.
'That's how we work at Barcelona.
'You talk of Germany dominating football recently - I don't know what is going to happen in the future. I know Germany have a history of great teams in global football at international level and club level.

'Winning the Champions League is difficult for anyone, whether they are from Germany or Spain.

'But I know Germany had a great year last year.'

Man in the middle: Lionel Messi was in Senegal visiting the Aspire Academy in Senegal

Argentina are on course to qualify for next summer's World Cup in Brazil, and Messi believes if they get there, they stand a chance of lift the trophy on enemy soil.
'If God wills it, then we will win the World Cup,' he added. 'We still have a year to go until the next tournament and we need to keep developing and improving.
'We still have some way to go but I think we have time. We need to keep improving and