When asked to identify five players more technically gifted than himself, Neymar Junior mentioned a forgotten Liverpool star.
For a span of several years, Neymar stood among the elite players globally, bringing the classic Brazilian flair to the game in an era where attackers faced tighter constraints.
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Thriving primarily at Barcelona after honing his skills at Santos, Neymar showcased his prowess alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, emerging as one of the most formidable players worldwide.
Following his stint at Barcelona, Neymar made a record-breaking transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a staggering £200 million fee.
Despite sporadic moments of brilliance in the French capital, he fell short of securing the Champions League, the coveted prize for the Ligue 1 club.
In pursuit of a new challenge, Neymar ventured into the Middle East last year, signing a lucrative deal with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal, reportedly valued at £129.4 million annually.
However, his aspirations were halted when he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament rupture while representing Brazil in October, keeping him sidelined since then.
Having shared the field with exceptional footballers throughout his career, Neymar, when questioned by Oh My Goal in 2021, provided an illustrious response to name five players he deemed more technically gifted than himself.
“I don’t know if I can answer that, with all the humility in the world I consider myself one of the most technical players in football today,” Neymar said.
Unsurprisingly, former teammate Messi was first on his list, with Neymar saying that everyone “wants to play with him.”
Neymar’s second choice among his top five picks was Eden Hazard, who made headlines in October by announcing his retirement from professional football following the termination of his contract by Real Madrid.
Joining the ranks was Manchester City’s playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, widely acclaimed as one of the Premier League’s greatest talents.
Former PSG teammate Marco Verratti and the overlooked Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara also earned mentions.
Thiago has faced four injury-riddled years at Anfield since departing Bayern Munich in 2020. Amidst his struggles, he has only managed to clock five minutes of playtime this season for Liverpool.
His tenure with the club is poised to end as his contract approaches expiration at the conclusion of the campaign.
