Brazil football legend Cafu has made a bold claim, stating that Neymar is 'technically even better' than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The 34-year-old forward, now back at boyhood club Santos after a stellar career in Europe, has been urged by Cafu to be included in Brazil's World Cup squad if physically ready.
Neymar's Illustrious Career
Neymar spent four successful years at Barcelona, scoring more than a goal every other game and winning eight major trophies, including the Champions League. He became the most expensive footballer in history with a £222m move to PSG in 2017, where he scored 118 goals in 173 games and won five league titles in six years. Despite his natural decline and injury issues, Neymar remains Brazil's all-time record goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 caps.
Cafu's Verdict
'Any team that has a decisive player like Neymar needs that player,' Cafu, Brazil's most-capped player with 142 appearances, told The Times. '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. For me, Neymar was technically even better than Ronaldo and Messi. He's had a brilliant career.'
Cafu also commented on Carlo Ancelotti, the first foreign manager to lead Brazil, saying: 'Ancelotti is the most Brazilian Italian coach there has ever been because he has worked with so many Brazilian players. Brazil has modernised. Most of the best Brazilian players are playing in Europe and Ancelotti is European, but that doesn't mean Brazilian football is European football. The Brazilian essence will always be there.'
World Cup Prospects
Brazil, the most successful World Cup team with five titles, have fallen short in the last five tournaments. Cafu is optimistic: 'The first objective in a World Cup is not to concede goals and I don't expect many surprises. One hundred per cent, Brazil has a chance.' Brazil begin their campaign against Morocco on June 13, followed by Haiti and Scotland in Group C. Defending champions Argentina won their third title in 2022.
Neymar's participation remains uncertain due to fitness concerns, but his technical brilliance, as highlighted by Cafu, could be decisive for Brazil's quest for a sixth World Cup crown.
