The frequent Ballon d’Or nominee was once described as a “synonym for showtime.”
The legendary Brazilian defender Cafu claimed that his compatriot Neymar Jr. was “technically even better” than the iconic pairing of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in a sweeping appraisal of the divisive forward.
Neymar’s excellent technique, the capacity to control the ball and bamboozle opponents with his trickery, is a quality which has been evident since his time as a child dancing around the futsal courts of São Paulo. The Santos academy product was once described as a “synonym for showtime,” lighting up the South American game before dominating Europe withHowever, just when Neymar hit his peak and threatened to derail the golden duopoly of the modern era, the BrazilianParis Saint-Germain, where injury, poor recruitment and a general decline ultimately knocked Neymar off his pedestal.
Not that Cafu was deterred. Neymar , Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo finished in the top three of voting for the 2015 Ballon d’Or. | Fatih Erel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images There is no suggestion that Neymar ranks himself in that lofty company. When the fleet-footed forward was named on the final three-man shortlist for the 2015During a Q&A between all three players, Ronaldo accepted that Messi had a better left foot than himself.
At that point Neymar interjected: “I’d take both of his feet,” he laughed, reasoning that he wouldn’t mind Ronaldo’s right foot either.
“I don’t know if I’m up to their level,” Neymar humbly added. “These are two idols—it is difficult to think of yourself as equal or better than them. “I admire them both tremendously, I have done for many years, and it is a big honor to be here with them. I hope to be back, I hope my team goes on winning, and that I may be back another time.
” He would return to the Ballon d’Or podium again in 2017—finishing behind the same duo once more—after leaving forin that summer. Not once has he climbed above 12th in the ranking for the best player in the world since. Neymar's World Cup hopes are up in the air. | IMAGO/Sports Press Photos Cafu wasn’t only concerned with Neymar’s historical status in the game.
The three-time World Cup finalist also weighed in on the debate of whether the 34-year-old should be taken with Brazil to this summer’s tournament in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. For Cafu, “it’s obvious. ” “Any team that has a decisive player like Neymar needs that player,” the retired right back argued.
“If Neymar is in good shape—physically fit, tactically fit, technically fit—it’s obvious he’s a player who decides games. But only Ancelotti can decide and only Neymar can know if he’s ready. ” Ancelotti has yet to hand Neymar a call-up since taking the helm of the Seleção last summer. The “most Brazilian Italian coach there has ever been”—by Cafu’s reckoning—hasRather than the game’s best players, Neymar’s chief battle at this stage of his career is with his own body.
It’s not one he has won recently. Grey Whitebloom is a writer, reporter and editor for Sports Illustrated FC. Born and raised in London, he is an avid follower of German, Italian and Spanish top flight football.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Beginner’s Cheat Sheet to the 2026 World Cup: 30 Soccer Terms and MoreThe United States, Canada and Mexico will welcome the most popular sporting event in the world this summer.
Read more »
Israel extends detention of two seized Gaza flotilla activists by two daysThe Global Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla set sail in April from the Italian island of Sicily, with 58 vessels aiming to break Israel’s years-long blockade of Gaza.
Read more »
Exorbitantly expensive tickets for early World Cup games still on general saleTickets for most of the World Cup group games remain on general sale with just over a month to go until the tournament kicks off on June 11.
Read more »
Exorbitantly expensive tickets for early World Cup games still on general saleTickets for most of the World Cup group games remain on general sale with just over a month to go until the tournament kicks off on June 11.
Read more »
Two Matches Announced, Two Major Contract Signings Official for May 4 WWE RawThe final episode of WWE Raw ahead of Backlash will go live Monday night in Omaha, Nebraska, and General Manager Adam Pearce has now made a series of announcements for the show.
Read more »
Two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to have elbow surgery to remove loose bodiesTwo-time American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will have surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow after being scratched from Monday’s start against the Boston Red Sox
Read more »