Not Messi Or Ronaldo, Brazil Legend Cafu Picks This Star To Be The Most Technically-Gifted Player

Brazil legend Cafu has termed Neymar as the most technically-gifted player on the planet ahead of soccer greats, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar, who currently plays for the French side Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is carrying a lot of expectations on his shoulders as the talented striker has built a reputation of being one of the most creative players of this generation, admitted his countryman Cafu.

The 49-year-old former player, who is the most internationally capped Brazilian player of all time, does not deny that the likes of Messi are any less talented but according to him, Neymar takes the art of ball manipulation to an entirely different level.

“Technically, Neymar is the best player in the world. Today, technically, nobody can beat Neymar. Not even Messi, although I am a fan of him. But he does not surpass him in terms of technical quality,” Cafu, who won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, said in an interview with Fox Sports.

Cafu played professional soccer for nearly two decades and earned a total of 570 caps (428 in club and 142 for Brazil). He further explained in the interview that while there are no doubts about Neymar’s individual excellence, the former FC Barcelona forward needs to work on his leadership.

“Today I don't see any leader within the Brazilian team. Today I don't see anyone who says this to Neymar: ‘Oh, don’t do this’ or ‘Do this’. There is not! They gave him that responsibility, and it's not his profile. It’s not that he doesn't want to, but because it's not his profile. Have you ever seen him catching Thiago Silva and Tite in a discussion and solving the situation? No, because it is not his profile,” Cafu, who was the last man to captain Brazil to World Cup glory, added.

Cafu has also suggested that he believes Neymar is Brazil’s “greatest hope” for winning a World Cup.

“I speak again here, he is our greatest hope for winning a World Cup. With Neymar on the pitch, whether he wants it or not, eight opponents will stay connected to him. He is a reference, he makes room for others, he scores extraordinary goals, but, really, someone is missing who covers, someone is lacking the strength to fit in around him,” the former Brazilian soccer skipper added.