Neymar snubs Messi and Ronaldo in GOAT selection

Neymar has named Brazilian legend Pelé as the greatest footballer of all time, snubbing  his former teammate Lionel Messi and long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

In a candid interview with YouTuber TheGrefg, Neymar expressed admiration for his fellow countryman, emphasising the Brazilian's unmatched legacy, including three World Cup triumphs.

Many had hoped Neymar would emulate the legendary Brazilian great, but he fell short of those lofty expectations, prompting some fans to dub him "the prince who didn’t want to be king."

"It's not that I didn't want to be a king, it's that for me there is only one king and that is Pele," Neymar explained.

"Many things happened, I had many injuries that cost me a lot in my career and well, God wanted it that way. I have no reason to be sad, on the contrary.

"I am very happy with my story and my life. I achieved almost everything I dreamed of, and I even achieved things I never dreamed of. I am very grateful to God for changing my life, and that of my family and my friends. That is the most important thing for me."

The Santos icon’s choice surprised many, given his close relationship with Messi. The two played over 200 games together at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, forming a legendary partnership.

Yet Neymar’s loyalty to Brazil’s football heritage and Pelé’s historic impact appears to have been the deciding factor in his selection.

The 33-year-old is working to reignite his career after an injury-plagued stint at Al Hilal, where he managed just seven appearances following his £86 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023.

Last month, he returned to Santos, 12 years after leaving the club for Barcelona, and has already made an impact. He has scored twice since rejoining, including an impressive goal directly from a corner in his most recent match against Internacional de Limeira.