Messi vs. Neymar 2013: Neymar Not On Same Level as Argentinean, Says Ramahlo

Many have questioned if Neymar and Lionel Messi will be able to co-exist at Barcelona this season. Both forwards are used to being the top scorers on their respective squads, and could compete over who puts the ball in the net. However, Neymar's former Santos coach Ramahlo has stated that Neymar still has a long way to go before he can claim to be Barcelona's top star.

"Messi is number one," Ramalho said. "Neymar will improve at Barcelona, but he has a long way to go to get to where Messi is."

However he noted: "I'm sure they will work well together, there won't be any problems. Neymar is a good kid and he has a lot of respect for Messi."

The 21-year-old Brazilian has been adamant about his desire to create history and work with the Argentinean this upcoming year.

"I hope it will be a partnership to make history. We have everything for that to happen and it's an honor, a dream come true, to play alongside the best in the world and that is what persuaded me choose Barcelona," Neymar told reporters a few weeks ago.

Despite speculation that there could be unrest between the two, most Barcelona officials and stars believe that the two will be a dominant duo.

"I find it hard to believe two great players like Messi and Neymar won't be able to play together. It is not going to be a problem," said new manager Gerardo Martino. "If I can't make them play together, it is a deficit on my part as coach."

"They are both great people with great hearts and I believe that both of them will do their best to bring the team as much success as it has had in the past," added Barcelona president Sandro Rosell.

Even former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola expected a unified collaboration between the two, confident a conflict was not imminent.

"Barca have always had some of the best players in the world at their disposal, and Neymar and Messi are undoubtedly two of the best at the moment," said Guardiola. "I know Messi very well. He is a fantastic person as well as player. I have met Neymar too and he seems like a good lad and I'm sure they will have no problem playing together."

Neymar recently joined Barcelona to start training for the upcoming 2013 season.