Both Lionel Messi and Neymar have been criticised by former AC Milan midfielder Zvonimir Boban ahead of the World Cup 2014. Messi is regarded as the best in the world, while Neymar is regarded as the future successor to his throne. The two players have been playing together at Barcelona for the first time last season. Many expected this partnership to become one of the best, but there have been times when they look totally out of sorts. This led to Barcelona ending the season without a major trophy after eight years.

As both players head into the World Cup 2014 with Argentina and Brazil respectively, Boban says that they are both not in the best possible moment. Neymar struggled to live up to the expectations in the second half of the season, while Messi was heavily criticised for the lack of workrate. This could be a problem for both Argentina and Brazil at the World Cup according to Boban. In a staunch criticism, Boban also said that he does not expect Neymar to be in the running for the Golden Boot award. Since the 22-year-old is extremely lightweight, he will not be able to overcome the powerful defences.

This did prove to be a problem for Neymar in the second half of the season at Barcelona.

“Can Neymar win Golden Ball award? Not likely! He is not that good, not that powerful. He is amazing talent but currently is far from being top class. He will never be Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Iniesta, and specially Messi. Someone should tell him the truth about himself, Messi should face Messi. He is absolutely unprepared, unfit and demotivated the whole time, except against Real Madrid, where he played with 30 per cent of his capabilities and showed how superior he is,” said the former Milan player.

Barcelona have announced that manager Gerardo Martino has stepped down from his role after his failure to win any major trophy this season. Barcelona went into the last day of the season looking to at least retain the league title after they had suffered several exits in cup competitions like the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. However, a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid meant that Diego Simeone’s team won the title with a two-point advantage. The Argentine boss, who was appointed as the replacement for Tito Vilanova only last summer, had said prior to the match that his future was in major doubt following a poor campaign.

He also revealed that there was a clause in his two-year contract, which allowed him to leave the club after 12 months should both parties not be happy with the work. It has been revealed that the club has exercised his contract after coming to terms with Martino. The 52-year-old boss attempted to change the style of the club this campaign, as they played more long balls than ever. The 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid appeared to have sealed his fate.

The final nail in the coffin came in the form of the league defeat.

“I’m sorry I was unable to deliver. I’d like to thank the club for their confidence in me. I deeply regret not having achieved the goals that this club has always been set and achieved. These are great players. My greatest gratitude goes to the players. They have made me proud,” said the manager after announcing his exit. “We are grateful to ‘Tata’. This has been a tough season,” said the club sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta following the official announcement.