Lionel Messi and Neymar can play together, claims Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola is persuaded Lionel Messi and Neymar will come together to overwhelming effect for Barcelona next season. The former Santos starlet protected his budge to Camp Nou prior in the summer and, but sections of the media have questioned whether the pair will be a good fit jointly due to their parallel styles of play.

However, the Bayern Munich boss took some time out from orally repartee with his previous club to declare that the pair will have no difficulties playing collectively next season.

He told Lance: "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. "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."

The 42-year-old then turned his politeness towards next summer`s World Cup, and believes his inhabitant Spain will go into the contest as favorites to keep their title - despite their 3-0 defeat to Brazil in the Confederations Cup final a fortnight ago.

He added: "It seemed perfectly normal to me that Spain lost [to Brazil]. They were physically better than us. "But I believe that Spain is still favorites going into the World Cup."

Neymar is set to create his bloodthirsty debut for the Blaugrana when they open their Liga season against Levante on August 18.