Messi has proven to Neymar that size doesn't matter, says Michael Laudrup

Posted Wednesday, June 12, 2013 by Goal.com

The ex-Barcelona hero has rejected claims that the Brazilian could struggle at his new club due to his small frame

Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup believes that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has proven to new team-mate Neymar that size doesn't matter.

The Brazilian recently completed a €57 million move to Camp Nou from Santos, but there is a split of opinion over whether the 21-year-old will be a success.

The 5ft 9in forward has been labelled as too small and thin by some experts to succeed in Europe, criticism that has only intensified during recent outings for Brazil.

"Until now he has been a great player in South America, but we all know that it is a completely different type of game playing in Europe,” Laudrup told Goal.

"Everyone is looking forward to seeing him in Europe at the highest level, but I'm not sure whether his small size will be a factor.

“Without wishing to compare him to anyone else, Lionel Messi [at 5ft 7in] is not the biggest player in size and we have all seen what he has done.”

Laudrup starred for Barcelona as a player from 1989 to 1994, winning four straight Liga titles and the European Cup, before moving on to arch-enemies Real Madrid where he claimed another Primera Division.