The 21-year-old is one of the most sought-after talents in world football and has reportedly courted the interest of European giants Bayern Munich and Barcelona, the latter of which are understood to be front-runners to land the star.

However, Fred said Neymar should ignore the allure of playing in Europe and stay in Brazil in a bid to improve the domestic game.

"We Brazilians have to thank God to have a player like him in Brazil. We have to strengthen the chorus of support to get him to stay here, but in the end he will decide," Fred told reporters at a press conference in Geneva.

"Brazilian football is at a very high level and it will help the country with the 2014 World Cup if our stars stayed close to home."

Fred is expected to partner the Santos star in attack for Brazil's friendly with Italy on Thursday, which is followed by a clash with Russia five days later.