• Premier League

Choose Barcelona, Ronaldinho tells Neymar

ESPNsoccernet staff
February 28, 2012
Neymar is expected to move to Europe this summer © PA Photos
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Neymar has revealed that Brazil team-mate Ronaldinho has been trying to convince him to sign for Barcelona, with the Santos striker set to snub the Premier League in favour of a move to La Liga.

Ronaldinho was twice crowned FIFA World Player of the Year during a distinguished five-year spell at Camp Nou and with Barca fighting Real Madrid for Neymar's signature this summer after Chelsea admitted defeat in their pursuit of the Sao Paulo native, the 31-year-old has been advising his compatriot to choose the Catalans.

"He's always been something of a benchmark for me," Neymar told El Mundo Deportivo. "I have always kept in mind the advice of Ronaldinho and he spoke wonders of Barcelona and the city, which he told me is marvellous."

Neymar has been dealing with speculation about his future for the past 18 months and though his Santos contract does not run out until 2014, he admitted "anything can happen", before going on to further talk up the lure of Barca.

"[They] are an excellent team, as everyone knows, and are full of stars," he added.

Neymar is expected to feature for Brazil in their international friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Switzerland on Tuesday night.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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