Neymar easier to defend than Messi, says Cruyff

By Stefan Coerts

Oct 14, 2013 11:05:00 AM

The Dutchman believes the former Santos man has a minor physical disadvantage compared to the Argentine forward in that he does not have the same low centre of gravity

Barcelona icon Johan Cruyff believes that Neymar is easier to defend than Lionel Messi due to his height, but feels the Brazil international has made an encouraging start to his Camp Nou career.

Neymar, who joined the Blaugrana from Santos this summer, is slightly taller than his Argentine team-mate and Cruyff thinks the 21-year-old's stature makes things slightly harder for him.

"Neymar is easier to defend than Messi because of his height," Cruyff told Ara.

"Leo shields the ball with his body and defenders find it harder to get a grip on him because he is smaller. 

"However, Neymar has made a good start to life at Barcelona and his quality should help him link up with Messi and Xavi.

"We will have to wait and see how things pan out."

Neymar has made 11 official appearances for Barcelona so far this term, scoring three goals in the process. ------------------ goal.com