«More talent than Messi and Ronaldo», Zico extols Neymar
While paying tribute to Neymar’s exceptional talent, Brazilian legend Zico believes that Neymar has not managed to reach the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, notably pointing to a lack of consistency and recurring injuries.
Brazilian legend Zico recently stated that Neymar possesses more talent than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while noting that he lacks the same level of professionalism and dedication as his illustrious seniors. Questioned as part of the debate over Neymar’s legacy, Zico told ESPN (via GOAL): “I am a fan. God gave Neymar a talent that he gave to only a few rare people. In the world I’m talking about, there are Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. They are the three. But the other two are superb professionals.”
He was not up to it. Football gave him everything, and that’s the problem. But the talent? He has more than anyone. For some time now, he hasn’t known how to best exploit it, he added, pointing to the striker’s difficulties in stringing together matches. Zico also spoke about Neymar’s physical problems: “Everything depends on Neymar’s form. If he strings together ten matches in a row with Santos, we can evaluate him. But these last two or three years, at what period has he played that many matches? He has never been able to. That’s the problem: his health. And his injuries have multiplied.”
Back at his boyhood club, Santos, Neymar has not been called up to the latest Brazilian national team. Since his anterior cruciate ligament rupture in October 2023, the 34-year-old has played only 35 matches across all competitions.
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