Brazil icon Cafu has sensationally claimed that Neymar is technically superior to both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as he backed the forward to lead the Selecao at the upcoming World Cup.
The legendary right-back, who remains the only man to play in three consecutive World Cup finals, believes a fit Neymar remains the ultimate difference-maker for the Brazil national team.
Neymar well past his peak
Neymar was once considered the heir to the Messi-Ronaldo throne, but the Ballon d’Or has always eluded him, and after seeing his career halted by numerous injuries, the 34-year-old is now struggling to rediscover his best form at Santos. He’s been a Brazilian football icon since his first spell at Santos, but his maturity and focus off the pitch have often been questioned. With the World Cup just around the corner, the pressure remains on Neymar to force his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s squad as Brazil chases their first global crown since 2002.
Technical superiority over the GOATs
Despite Neymar facing a series of fitness battles in recent seasons, former AC Milan defender Cafu insists that the former Barcelona man’s ceiling has always been higher than that of Messi and Ronaldo.
“For me, Neymar was technically even better than [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi,” the Brazil legend mentioned to The Times. “He’s had an excellent profession.”
When pressed on Neymar’s World Cup prospects, Cafu added: “Any crew that has a decisive participant like Neymar wants that participant. If Neymar is in good condition — bodily match, tactically match, technically match — it’s apparent he’s a participant who decides video games. However solely Ancelotti can resolve and solely Neymar can know if he’s prepared.”
Ancelotti and the Brazil transition
The Selecao are heading into a brand new period below Ancelotti, the primary foreigner to take sole cost of the nationwide crew.
“I’m snug with it,” Cafu defined. “Ancelotti is essentially the most Brazilian Italian coach there has ever been as a result of he has labored with so many Brazilian gamers. Brazil has modernized. Many of the finest Brazilian gamers are taking part in in Europe and Ancelotti is European, however that doesn’t imply Brazilian soccer is European soccer. The Brazilian essence will all the time be there.” Ancelotti himself has focused a steadiness for the facet, stating he needs “an Italian protection and a Brazilian assault”, a technique Cafu believes “can work properly.”
Managing the World Cup strain
Stress is a continuing companion for the Brazilian nationwide crew, particularly as they give the impression of being to keep away from going six consecutive tournaments with out a victory. Cafu recalled how his legendary facet handled the burden of expectation. Surprisingly, it concerned a makeshift recreation of golf in a resort hall on the eve of their ultimate victory in opposition to Germany.
“We performed golf,” Cafu joked. “We have been in our resort earlier than the ultimate in 2002 and everybody was sitting round chatting. Ronaldinho had a ball and a membership in his room, which a crew had given him as a present. He received a plastic cup and put it within the hall and began attempting to hit the ball into the cup. I’m horrible at golf, however everybody was taking part in — me, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Lúcio, Roque Júnior, Edmilson. We stayed in that hall for perhaps an hour and a half. It was the night time earlier than the World Cup ultimate and we have been taking part in golf to have enjoyable.”
Reporting by GOAL.
