Neymar Must Win with Brazil to Reach Pele’s Level — Mourinho

By Daily Sports on February 16, 2019

Neymar will have to reach the pinnacle of success with Brazil before he can compare to Pele and other Selecao legends, according to Jose Mourinho.

The star forward has already staked a claim to being one of the best players in the world, having dominated Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain when healthy and achieving statistical and team success while a member of Barcelona.

Prior to that Neymar was a standout while playing for Santos in his native Brazil – something he shares with Pele. Neymar’s Brazil side famously stumbled to a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup, despite being the host nation.

And while Neymar was absent for that defeat with a back injury, he was present in 2018 as Belgium knocked out Brazil from the World Cup in Russia by a 2-1 scoreline, in a tournament where the star man’s theatrics when fouled grabbed more headlines than his goalscoring.

However, Placar, a Brazilian football magazine, recently named Neymar as the country’s greatest player since Pele, drawing criticism as it ignored other Selecao greats like Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Zico and Ronaldinho.

Asked by DAZN about the controversy, Mourinho admitted Neymar is one of the world’s best talents with an impressive track record in the club game, but that his international exploits hold him back when compared to other Brazil greats.

“Neymar is a fantastic talent and nobody can doubt that,” Mourinho said. “He came to Europe and won immediately.

“But I think they forgot players that were the best of the world at some point, such as Ronaldo and Rivaldo, just citing two, and I could remember more. They also came to Europe and were fantastic, but beyond that, they passed through this special situation in a country's life that is succeeding on the international level.

“Neymar will keep fighting to be on Europe’s elite, where he already is, and this [winning with Brazil] will continue to be a dream for him.”

The Brazil star will get another chance this summer to win at a major tournament when Brazil hosts the 2019 Copa America.

In the meantime, Neymar will hope to recover from a broken foot in time to help PSG finally breakthrough in the Champions League. (Goal)

•Photo shows Neymar 

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 16, 2019


 

You may also like...
New boy Osho doubtful for Eagles friendlies

Nishikori, Pliskova crowned Brisbane International champion

Lacazette hails partnership with Aubameyang

I Won’t Coach Another African Team — Herve...

UCL: Barca face United as City battle Tottenham...

Athletes Allege Foul Play As Mass Disqualification Hit...

 

Latest News Moment Nigerian footballer, Osayi-Samuel defends teammates against pitch invaders African Games: Medal hopes for Nigeria as athletics begin today Joshua rises in Ring Magazine heavyweight rankings Super Eagles Head Coach: The Usual Drama Continues! Reliance on foreigners has stunted growth of African coaches –Nsien African Games: Mbata, Oraekwe reach boxing semis Who will be Eagles 27th coach? Title chase: Enyimba will fight till last day, says Finidi I need medical checkups after Joshua KO – Ngannou Cricket’s golden girl Etim retires after Ghana heroics Why I’m right man to coach Eagles – Makinwa My NPFL performance earned me Eagles invite – Tanimu

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,278 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,289 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,452 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,115 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (41,903 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,794 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,636 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,124 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,153 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,069 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,521 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,098 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media