Jose Mourinho refuses to place Neymar alongside Brazilian greats just yet

Sport360 staff 12:50 16/02/2019
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    Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho believes that Neymar has to win something with Brazil to be regarded as one of their best-ever players.

    Brazilian magazine Placar recently labelled Neymar as Brazil’s greatest footballer since Pele. Although Mourinho did not deny that the forward is immensely talented, he insisted that he needs to win an international tournament to be mentioned in the same bracket as the likes of Ronaldo and Rivaldo.

    “Neymar is a fantastic talent and nobody can doubt that,” Mourinho told DAZN, according to Goal. “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.”

    Neymar is currently sidelined with a foot injury, though that did not stop club side PSG from recording an impressive 2-0 victory at Manchester United in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 clash.

    The 27-year-old has appeared in two World Cups for Brazil. The Selecao’s challenge was ended last year in the quarter-finals following a 2-1 defeat to Belgium.

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