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Brazilian icon Cafú has sensationally claimed that Neymar is technically superior to both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as he backed the striker to lead the Selecao in the upcoming World Cup.
The legendary right-back, who remains the only man to have played in three consecutive World Cup finals, believes a fit Neymar remains the deciding factor for the Brazil team.
Neymar is already past his best moment
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 has been an icon of Brazilian football since his first spell at Santos, but his maturity and concentration off the field have often been questioned. With the World Cup just around the corner, the pressure is on Neymar to force his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s team as Brazil chase their first world crown since 2002.
Technical superiority over the GOAT
Even though Neymar has faced a number of physical battles in recent seasons, former AC Milan defender Cafú insists the former Barcelona player’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,” said the Brazilian legend. The times. “He’s had a brilliant career.”
When asked about Neymar’s prospects for the World Cup, Cafu added: “Any team that has a decisive player like Neymar needs that player. If Neymar is in good shape (physically, tactically and technically) it is obvious that he is a player who decides games. But only Ancelotti can decide and only Neymar can know if he is ready.”
Ancelotti and Brazil’s transition
The Seleçao enters a new era led by Ancelotti, the first foreigner to take sole charge of the national team.
“I feel comfortable with that,” Cafú explained. “Ancelotti is the most Brazilian Italian coach that has ever existed because he has worked with many Brazilian players. Brazil has modernized. Most of the best Brazilian players play in Europe and Ancelotti is European, but that does not mean that Brazilian football is European football. The Brazilian essence will always be there.” Ancelotti himself has aimed for a balance for the team, stating that he wants “an Italian defense and a Brazilian attack”, a strategy that Cafú believes “can work well”.
Handle the pressure of the World Cup
Pressure is a constant companion for the Brazilian team, especially as it seeks to avoid going six consecutive tournaments without a victory. Cafú recalled how his legendary team dealt with the weight of expectations. Surprisingly, it was an impromptu game of golf in a hotel hallway on the eve of the final victory against Germany.
“We played golf,” Cafú joked. “We were in our hotel before the 2002 final and everyone was sitting around chatting. Ronaldinho had a ball and a club in his room, which a team had given him. He took a plastic cup, put it in the hallway and started trying to put the ball in the cup. I’m terrible at golf, but we were all playing: me, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Lúcio, Roque Júnior, Edmilson. We stayed in that hallway for maybe an hour and “It was the night before the World Cup final and we were playing golf for fun.”
Reports by META.
