Messi Is Top-Dog Alves Tells Neymar

The Brazilian has stressed that the prolific attacker is untouchable at the Catalans, but does not expect any problems following his compatriot's arrival

Dani Alves has warned Neymar that Lionel Messi remains Barcelona's undisputed star despite the arrival of the €57 million signing from Santos this summer.

Much has been said and written about since the 21-year-old's switch from Santos, the club he broke through at to become the darling of Brazilian football, with club icon Johan Cruyff as one of the most vocal critics of the transfer.

However, Alves has insisted that the hierarchy at the Blaugrana is clear, even from the days of Ronaldinho strutting his stuff in Catalunya, so the signing of this forward will not change anything.

"People are getting all worked up over the relationship between Messi and Neymar, but they're two great guys, so who's to say they are going to have any problems ..." Alves told RAC1.

"Messi has earned all the recognition and respect he gets and has become a role model with his work ethic. The kid has four Ballons d'Or.

"Before it was Ronaldinho who dictated the way Barca played, now it's Messi. You can't come to Barca and expect to be top dog – there is always already a star here."

Messi has scored well over 200 La Liga goals for the Catalans since his first team debut in 2004-05, becoming the club's all-time top goalscorer in official games.