Guardiola: Neymar is extraordinary but I don't know if he'd be the same if he returned to Barcelona Premier League Unsure if a return would work

Pep Guardiola remains unconvinced that Neymar returning to Barcelona would be a good move.

Two years after leaving the Camp Nou in 2017, the Brazilian wants to return this summer but the Catalan isn't so sure that things would go as they did before.

"Neymar's an extraordinary player," Guardiola said.

"But I don't know [about his return]. If he went back, would it be the same?

"I don't know if he'd be the same player, but you can't doubt how good he is," he told Are.

Guardiola has been criticised quite regularly for not winning a Champions League since leaving Barcelona, but it's not something that gets him too down.

"Of course I'd love the Champions League," he said.

"But the league is what makes the players follow you. Every three days you have to win.

"Winning the league in England is very hard and the proof is that Manchester City are the first team in 11 years to defend the title, while Barcelona have done that many times."

Louis van Gaal recently criticised Lionel Messi for, similarly, not winning enough in Europe but Guardiola has defended the Argentine.

"Barcelona have come very close," he said.

"Van Gaal probably said that because of the defensive implication, which is important in Europe.

"But if Barcelona haven't been winning Champions Leagues, I don't think it's down to Messi."