adminMONTEVIDEO. – Brazil manager Dunga believes Neymar has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi with his displays this season and is now the best footballer in the world.
The 23-year-old has been in sensational form this season, scoring 11 goals in just 10 Spanish La Liga games for Luis Enrique’s side.
Messi has been out injured since late September with a knee ligament injury, while Ronaldo has scored eight times in 11 games for Madrid.
“If we look at the ranking by numbers and statistics, Neymar is superior right now,” Dunga said ahead of his side’s World Cup qualifier against Argen- tina.
“Messi is injured, Cristiano is expected to repeat what he did last year. Neymar has improved consistently since he arrived at Barcelona. He has done all that was expected of him with Messi out. He’s in great form.”
It is not just Neymar’s goalscoring form which has been impressive – he also has six assists in all competitions which is four more than both the injured Messi and Ronaldo.
Argentina boss Gerardo Martino is well aware of the threat Neymar will pose as Brazil take on their great rivals today.
“‘Neymar is at a superlative level,” the former Barcelona boss said. “His return to the Brazil team comes at a great time.
“Every player needs time to adapt. I had to coach a very good Neymar, but what he is doing puts him at the level of the two players (Messi and Ronaldo) we considered above the rest.”
And Neymar has the potential to become the best player in the world according to a man who knows more than a little about that title.
Fellow Brazilian Ronaldinho, who was twice named FIFA World Player of the Year while also playing for Barca, gave a glowing assessment of the 23-year-old to the club’s official website.
He said: “Neymar is a phenomenon. He is the best Brazilian player in the world at the moment – it’s great to see him continue everything we have done before.”
Ronaldinho added: “I think he can (be the greatest in the world). He’s a great player, a great friend and I hope everything goes well for him.”
Neymar has been in superb form for Barca so far this season, scoring 13 goals in 14 games in all competitions. Interestingly, this prolific return has coincided with the absence of injured team-mate and Argentina international Lionel Messi, the player whom Ronaldinho acknowledges Neymar must try to sur- pass.
Messi came through Barca’s famed La Masia academy and progressed to the first-team in 2004. He played alongside Ronaldinho until 2008 when the Brazilian left to join AC Milan. – AFP.
Online Reporter