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Brazil coach Dunga has praised his side’s captain Neymar Jr and believes on current form, he has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi as the best in the world, reports the Mirror. Neymar has impressed his boss with fine displays for his club this season and is hoping he runs the show in Brazil’s clash with Argentina in a World Cup 2018 qualifying match.
The 23-year-old is in scintillating form for the reigning Spanish champions this season, having scored 11 goals in 11 league matches and another two in the Champions League. Neymar has also added six assists to his name in all competitions - four more than both the Ballon d’Or winners.
Neymar and his attacking partner Luis Suarez are flourishing in the absence of Barca’s magician Messi, who’s out with a knee injury he picked up against Las Palmas in September. In nine games without the Argentinian, the deadly duo have combined to score 20 goals in total and average an astonishing 2.2 goals a match for the Blaugrana.
Suarez and Neymar combined to score a bonafide goal of the season contender in their 3-0 victory over Villareal, where the latter spun, flicked the ball over an opponent and volleyed home all in one movement.
While Messi, who has netted just three goals this term, has been sidelined with a knee injury since late September, his rival Ronaldo has not been in the best of form in recent games. The Portuguese has found the back of the net on 8 occasions in 11 matches for Los Blancos this season.
Ahead of Brazil’s World Cup 2018 qualifiers against Argentina, coach Dunga has hailed Neymar and believes he’s better than Ronaldo and Messi.
“If we look at the ranking by numbers and statistics, Neymar is superior right now,” he said in a press conference.
“Messi is injured, Cristiano is expected to repeat what he did last year.”
“Neymar has improved consistently since he arrived at Barcelona.”
“He has done all that was expected of him with Messi out. He's in great form.”
Martino wary of Neymar’s threat
Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has taken notice of the threat posed by the in-form Neymar ahead of his side’s encounter with Brazil on Saturday.(The match had to be moved from Friday due to unfavourable weather)
“Neymar is at a superlative level,” the former Barcelona boss said.
“His return to the Brazil team comes at a great time.”
“Every player needs time to adapt.”
“I had to coach a very good Neymar, but what he is doing puts him at the level of the two players [Messi and Ronaldo] we considered above the rest.”
