Dubai: Neymar is already as good as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and it’s only a matter of time before he wins a Ballon d’Or, according to another Brazilian legend who plied his trade at Barcelona, Ronaldinho.
The 25-year-old striker scored two late goals in Barcelona’s epic 6-1 Uefa Champions League Last 16 second leg win at home to Paris Saint-Germain last week.
That enabled the Catalan side to come back from an unthinkable 4-0 first leg loss to win 6-5 on aggregate.
With 14 goals across all competitions so far this season, he is still nowhere near Messi, who has scored 39 so far this season, or Real Madrid’s Ronaldo, who has 26. He’s also never won the Ballon D’Or, while Messi has five and Ronaldo has four.
But Ronaldinho, who was speaking at a press conference at the Burj Al Arab on Wednesday to discuss the expansion of his football academy across the region in association with Duplays, said Neymar has now grown to be up there with Messi and Ronaldo.
“Neymar is a close friend and he is Brazil’s greatest idol today,” said Ronaldinho, who himself won two World Player of the Year Awards back-to-back in 2004 and 2005, and the Ballon d’Or in 2005.
“He’s already at the same level as Ronaldo and Messi and we truly hope that one day he can get the Ballon D’Or and continue his success, but he’s already amongst the top and it’s just a matter of time,” added the 36-year-old, who also played for Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, scoring 70 goals in 145 appearances for Barcelona between 2003 and 2008.
Ronaldinho lifted two La Liga titles and the Uefa Champions League trophy in his time at the Nou Camp, but held back from comparing his era to the current side.
“I never like comparisons, we were a great team with great players and individuals, and today’s side also has a great team with great players and individuals.
“I was successful, my team was successful and we won a lot of trophies and today’s Barca side are the same, they are also very successful, so I want to wish the best to them. I don’t like comparisons, I just know we should continue.”
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has announced he is going to leave the club at the end of the season.
But Ronaldinho said he had no idea who he thought should replace the outgoing coach and recoiled at the thought of doing the Spaniard’s job, saying: “No, no, not for me man!”
He did say he was available for this summer’s El Classico friendly match between Barcelona and Real Madrid, slated for July 29 in Miami, however.
“I’m not playing professionally right now,” said the unconfirmed retiree, who hasn’t had a club since leaving Fluminense in September 2015. “But I’m always ready to play especially in a game like this.
“So, I’m continuing my old training regime and let’s just wait and see, but I’m ready to play.”