The Argentine coach insists he will not rush the former
Santos star back into action as he aims to help him enjoy a lengthy career in
Catalonia.
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino admits he is keen to see
Lionel Messi team up with Neymar, but has stressed he will not rush the Brazilian
into the Blaugrana starting XI.
The skilful attacker joined Barcelona from Santos for €57
million earlier this summer but has yet to make a competitive start for the
Catalans, although Martino insists that patience with the player will be key to
his development.
"I’m keen to see him play with Messi, but I also
have to do the right thing by every player. My aim is for him to play here for
10 or 12 years, not that he fixes one game for us," Martino stated at a
press conference.
"What I want is for the player to be ok and to feel
that we helped him. We’re doing the right thing with him. His behaviour is
perfect. We talk a lot. It’s to be expected that he wants to play, whether he’s
an idol or not.
"We’ll find the best way to introduce him into the
team little by little. He chose to come to Barcelona to play with Messi.
"I think we’re all doing things right, though he has
to do in 30 minutes what some of the rest have a game to do. He’s a natural and
he’s used to coping with the pressure. He’s ready and we’ll take the decision
when the game’s about to start."
Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid in the second leg of
the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday, after Neymar's goal secured a 1-1 draw in
the first leg last week.
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