Neymar ought to prove his worth at Barca

Barcelona striker Neymar said he's ready to "start making history"...

Barcelona striker Neymar said he's ready to "start making history" with the Spanish champions and follow in a long line of Brazilians who have triumphed at Camp Nou.

Neymar signed a five-year contract on Monday with Barcelona, which will now boast an even more formidable attacking unit with Lionel Messi playing alongside the 21-year-old sensation.

At his presentation, Neymar said that besides playing with Messi one of the reasons he wanted to come to Barcelona was because he had grown up watching countryman Ronaldinho win titles in burgundy and blue.

Neymar said late Wednesday that Ronaldinho, the most recent Brazil star to leave his mark at Barcelona, is "beyond comparison" after he "made history with Barcelona."

"I remember him making moves, his dribbling, winning all those titles at Camp Nou," Neymar told Barcelona's television station. "He made history at Barcelona and the Brazil national team ... In my case, I am beginning to make history and I hope that I can also leave my mark here in Barcelona."

Neymar's move to Barcelona comes 10 years after Ronaldinho arrived in 2003 and helped begin its current winning era that has included three Champions League titles.

Barcelona paid ¤57 million for Neymar, the eighth most expensive signing in football history. He will play with fellow Brazil team members Dani Alves and Adriano, both of whom are defenders.

"This team is great. It has great players and great friends, which is one of the most important things for a football team," said Neymar. "Dani told me that this is what I would find at Barcelona. He encouraged me to come.

Adriano also spoke to me about Barca and encouraged me, and here I am.

"Other Brazil stars that triumphed and became fan favourites at Barcelona include Romario (1993), Ronaldo (1996), and Rivaldo (1997).

Neymar joined Barcelona from Santos, his boyhood team that he led on its greatest run since Pele stopped playing for the Brazilian club in the 1970s.

He helped Santos win the 2010 Brazilian Cup, the 2011 Copa Libertadores and three straight Sao Paulo state championships, becoming the team's leading scorer in the post-Pele era with 138 goals in 230 matches.

Barcelona striker David Villa is in no rush to make a decision on his future following reported interest from Spurs. Tottenham and arch rivals Arsenal have both been linked with a move for the striker but he has decided to wait until the end of the summer before making any decision on his future. It has been suggested that the forward is eager to leave the Nou Camp this summer in order to secure a regular starting spot elsewhere, but Villa insists he is no rush to make a decision on his future and would be happy to remain with Barcelona. Villa is part of Spain's 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup in Brazil, which runs from June 15-30, and the frontman will concentrate on his international commitments before making a decision on his club future. He told the Spanish press: "I always try to think of the present. I will go to the Confederations Cup and try to play a good role there. "We'll need to analyse many things during the summer and then we'll see. Right now I'm not thinking about anything else than playing football." He added: "I have a contract with Barca and I've always said that I'm very happy here."

Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/tottenham-hotspur/striker-happy-in-spain-1597402.html

Barcelona striker David Villa is in no rush to make a decision on his future following reported interest from Spurs. Tottenham and arch rivals Arsenal have both been linked with a move for the striker but he has decided to wait until the end of the summer before making any decision on his future. It has been suggested that the forward is eager to leave the Nou Camp this summer in order to secure a regular starting spot elsewhere, but Villa insists he is no rush to make a decision on his future and would be happy to remain with Barcelona. Villa is part of Spain's 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup in Brazil, which runs from June 15-30, and the frontman will concentrate on his international commitments before making a decision on his club future. He told the Spanish press: "I always try to think of the present. I will go to the Confederations Cup and try to play a good role there. "We'll need to analyse many things during the summer and then we'll see. Right now I'm not thinking about anything else than playing football." He added: "I have a contract with Barca and I've always said that I'm very happy here."

Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/tottenham-hotspur/striker-happy-in-spain-1597402.html