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Davids wary of Neymar move

Neymar has signed a five-year contract at Barcelona © Getty Images

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Former Barcelona midfielder Edgar Davids believes Brazil star Neymar, the Camp Nou's latest recruit, could struggle to find his feet in Europe.

But the Dutch legend is confident that, once found, those feet will carry the 21-year-old to the top of the world.

La Liga champions Barcelona ended months of speculation when they announced that the Santos forward would be joining on a five-year contract.

The Catalan club beat a host of European rivals to sign a player who is expected to figure prominently for his country at next year's World Cup.

However, Davids said he was unsure whether Barcelona would reap any early rewards from their new acquisition.

"Neymar, it will be very difficult for him because Barca play very quickly and he's used to holding on to the ball," Davids said after a legends match between Juventus and Real Madrid. "Barca's way of playing is very different to how he plays, but he has all the potential to be one of the best players in the world."

Davids may remain sceptical about Neymar's impact, but he believes his former Juventus boss, Carlo Ancelotti, will set the Spanish league alight.

Current PSG manager Ancelotti has been rumoured to be leaving the French club to join Barcelona's arch-rivals Real Madrid. And Davids, along with former Juventus team-mate Fabio Cannavaro, believes the 53-year-old would be the perfect fit at the Bernabeu.

"Ancelotti has managed a lot of big clubs and I think he would do well at Madrid because Juventus, Milan, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are big clubs," Davids said. "If he comes here [to Madrid], I don't think there is any doubt he will do well."

Cannavaro added: "People know who Carlo Ancelotti is, he's a man with a lot of experience. He won the Champions League with Milan playing beautiful football, he's won things in England and now in France.

"I don't have to tell you anything about him. His CV is good enough for Madrid."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.