"He's an animal" - Argentina superstar claims Neymar Jr is the toughest player he has ever played against
Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has hailed Neymar as the toughest player he has come up against. Neymar plies his club football for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
The 32-year-old Brazilian attacker is out of the upcoming Copa America 2024 in the USA due to injury, which he sustained on international duty late last year and ruled him out of the season.
De Paul - who has come up across Neymar a few times across club and international football - has no qualms admitting that the Brazilian is the 'toughest' opponent he has faced. He elaborated (as per Albiceleste Talk):
"Neymar in the Copa America final was the toughest opponent I faced. He's an animal. I told him a couple of things.
"In the second half, during a play, I said to him: 'Honestly, man, you're a phenomenon. It's not just how you play, no one can throw you off your game.' Then we hugged. Ney in that final was spectacular."
De Paul and Co. open their Copa America title defence against Canada on June 20 in Atlanta, Georgia. Neymar's Brazil, meanwhile, take on Costa Rica on June 24 in Inglewood, California.
What happened when Rodrigo De Paul's Argentina last faced Neymar's Brazil?
Brazil and Argentina - two of the powerhouses in South American football - have a storied rivalry. De Paul's team bested Neymar and Co.in the Copa America 2021 final by a solitary goal at the Maracana final.
The two teams have met once since that game - in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. De Paul and Co. ran out winners by the same margin against 10-man Brazil away in November 2023, with Nicolas Otamendi bagging a 63rd-minute winner, while Joelinton saw red for the hosts nine minutes from time.
Brazil and Argentina could meet again at this year's Copa, where they are two of the contenders for the title. La Albiceleste are looking to win a fourth straight title following their triumphs at Copa America 2021, Finalissina 2022 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.