Barca recently beat Manchester United to win the Champions League and book their place in the FIFA tournament in December. Now, Elano is hoping Santos can overcome Penarol in the final of the Copa Libertadores, to set up a possible meeting between his club and a side he describes as the best ever.
“If it happens, it would be amazing,” he told reporters after Santos’ semi-final second leg against Cerro Porteno. “I am sure that we will learn a lot, as Barcelona are the best team in history, the best team I have ever seen. And we are going to prepare ourselves to play that final; if we qualify it will be because we deserve it.”
The Catalan giants will be looking to become the first side to win the competition twice, and will be hoping Messi can replicate his performance of the 2009 tournament. The Argentine scored twice in two games, including the winner in the final against Estudiantes, but Elano thinks Neymar could outshine him.
“Messi and Neymar will be a brilliant duel,” he added. “But I am firmly in Neymar’s corner.” In order to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time, Santos must first defeat Uruguayan side Penarol in the Libertadores final, and in doing so ensure that the South American representative is Brazilian for the second season running.
The Club World Cup takes place between the 8th and 18th of December in Japan, and is made up of seven teams from across the globe. The qualifiers so far are Barcelona (Europe), Monterrey (North and Central America) and Auckland City (Oceania). The teams from South America, Africa, Asia and the host nation are yet to be decided.
