The outspoken Brazilian soccer legend rates Neymar higher than the blessed Argentine.
Brazilian soccer legend, Pele, shocked the press by stating that he believes his fellow countryman Neymar is a far more complete player than World Player of the Year Lionel Messi.
Messi, who has won everything at a club level with FC Barcelona, is not only regarded as the best player in the world at the moment, but many believe he is up there with the very best of all time, including Pele and Diego Maradona. However, Pele disagrees with the masses, because he feels that Messi is not a complete player, like Santos prodigy Neymar.
"Making an individual comparison, I think Neymar is better, he's more complete, as he hits the ball with both feet, he can dribble on either flank, and can score goals," Pele declared to Globoesporte.
Pele, who is known for being very outspoken, continued by praising Messi, however, he highlighted the fact that Messi is one player for Barcelona and a completely different player for Argentina.
"Messi is very good, but much depends on where he plays. He is doing very well for Barcelona, but with Argentina he has found great difficulty. Neymar, on the other hand, plays well for both Santos and the Selecao."
When asked whether Neymar could surpass him as the greatest Brazilian player of all time, Pele admitted that it was too difficult of a question to answer, not only because of the difference of times, but because he believes it would be an almost impossible task to achieve everything that he has.
"Better than me? He might be. But the same as Pele? No one," concluded the three-time world champion.
If Santos and Barcelona reach the final of December's FIFA Club World Cup, Pele could see Neymar and Messi head-to-head in first person. Maybe then Pele could either reaffirm his thoughts, or modify them a touch.
Messi, who has won everything at a club level with FC Barcelona, is not only regarded as the best player in the world at the moment, but many believe he is up there with the very best of all time, including Pele and Diego Maradona. However, Pele disagrees with the masses, because he feels that Messi is not a complete player, like Santos prodigy Neymar.
"Making an individual comparison, I think Neymar is better, he's more complete, as he hits the ball with both feet, he can dribble on either flank, and can score goals," Pele declared to Globoesporte.
Pele, who is known for being very outspoken, continued by praising Messi, however, he highlighted the fact that Messi is one player for Barcelona and a completely different player for Argentina.
"Messi is very good, but much depends on where he plays. He is doing very well for Barcelona, but with Argentina he has found great difficulty. Neymar, on the other hand, plays well for both Santos and the Selecao."
When asked whether Neymar could surpass him as the greatest Brazilian player of all time, Pele admitted that it was too difficult of a question to answer, not only because of the difference of times, but because he believes it would be an almost impossible task to achieve everything that he has.
"Better than me? He might be. But the same as Pele? No one," concluded the three-time world champion.
If Santos and Barcelona reach the final of December's FIFA Club World Cup, Pele could see Neymar and Messi head-to-head in first person. Maybe then Pele could either reaffirm his thoughts, or modify them a touch.
