Zico, however, noted that the trio are in the same category, adding that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are better professionals than Neymar.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Brazilian football legend Zico has insisted that Neymar Jr is more talented than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, adding that the forward simply needs to be more professional in his approach.
He made the claim recently while wading into the ongoing debate over the Brazilian striker’s legacy.
His comments come after former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney stated that Neymar does not belong in the same generational category as Messi and Ronaldo.
Neymar, now back at his boyhood club Santos after stints at European giants Barcelona and PSG, was left out of Brazil’s most recent squad by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in October 2023, the 34-year-old has made just 35 appearances across all competitions.
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While acknowledging the forward is immensely gifted, Zico noted that he lacks the dedication to football shown by Messi and Ronaldo.
Speaking to ESPN (via GOAL), he elaborated: “I’m a fan. God gave Neymar a talent that He gave to a few. In this world I’m talking about—it’s Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar. They are the three. But the other two are tremendous professionals.
“He was not being one. Football gave him everything, and that is the problem. But talent? He has more than everyone else. For a while now, he hasn’t known how to make the most of it.”
Zico also referenced Neymar’s injury struggles, saying, “It depends on how Neymar is. Put him to play ten games in a row for Santos, and then you can make an evaluation. But in the last two or three years, what was the period that he played that amount of games? He didn’t have it.
“That is the problem—it’s his health. And his injury problems have been made easier [to occur]. Injuries increased.”
