Sports

Compare Neymar To Messi, Not Ronaldo – Pele

Published

7 years ago

April 10, 2018

Brazil legend Pele has once again entered the debate around the current three best players in the world, and insisted that Neymar should be compared to Lionel Messi and not Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 77-year-old famously won three FIFA World Cups with the Selecao and is often asked about his countryman, Neymar.

During a recent interview, the Selecao icon explained how he thinks the Paris Saint-Germain superstar is more of a playmaker like Messi while Ronaldo should be compared to the great goalscorers.

“Neymar has been compared with Cristiano Ronaldo,” Pele told ESPN Brazil.

“So I’ve said several times, told friends, in Europe, given interviews… Cristiano Ronaldo is an excellent player, he could be like our Vava, our Coutinho, the finisher (both are World Cup winning teammates of his from 1962).

“Neymar is really more of a Messi style, one who constructs the play, but scores the goal also.”

Neymar finished in third spot in the latest Ballon d’Or ranking, behind Messi and Ronaldo, who lifted his fifth Golden Ball.

He was on track to match the top duo’s goal exploits this season, scoring 29 times and assisting another 19 strikes in just 30 games for Les Parisiens, but has missed the last six weeks due to a foot injury.

Reports suggest he will be fit for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, though, where he is expected to shine alongside football’s biggest names.

Do you agree with Pele that Neymar’s style of play is more like Messi’s than Ronaldo’s? Have your say in the comments section below.