"Same level as Lionel Messi and much better than Cristiano Ronaldo" - Botafogo president insists Neymar Jr has 'ruined' his career
Brazilian club Botafogo's president, Durcesio Mello has compared Neymar Jr. to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He also claimed the Brazil superstar had ruined his career.
Neymar has often been considered one of the best players of his generation although his career has been marred by injuries. After enjoying stints at Barcelona (2013-2017) and Paris Saint-Germain (2017-2023), Neymar joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal for a reported €90 million in 2023.
However, the Brazilian was sidelined due to an ACL injury in October 2023 and remained out of action for a year. He returned to the pitch for Al-Hilal in October 2024 but picked up another injury in his second game after returning on November 4.
As the Brazilian struggles with his injury woes, multiple reports claimed Al-Hilal were working on prematurely terminating Neymar Jr.'s contract. The former Blaugrana superstar's current contract with the club ends in June 2025 but he could reportedly leave in January. He has also been linked to a possible return to the Brazilian Serie A with Santos or joining MLS side Inter Miami.
In an interview with journalist Resenha Alvinegra, Botafogo president Mello was asked if his club would sign Neymar Jr. The president said (via GOAL):
“God forbid. Neymar is one of the greatest players I've ever seen play, he's at the same level as Messi and much better than Cristiano Ronaldo, but he ruined his career, which culminated in this injury that lasted a little over a year, and now he's injured again.”
Neymar was often compared to the legendary Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the early days of his career. The Brazil superstar is widely believed to have hit his prime while playing alongside Messi at Barcelona (2013-2017). The two reunited again for PSG (2021-2023) before joining Inter Miami and Al-Hilal respectively.
Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. have shared the pitch on 206 occasions for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), recording 67 joint goal contributions. Meanwhile, the Brazilian has never played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. The duo have however faced each other eight times on pitch.
When Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. made it to the 2015 Ballon d'Or podium
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. have together made it to the Ballon d'Or podium only once in 2015. Messi won the 2015 Ballon d'Or with 41.33% votes, while Ronaldo and Neymar finished second and third with 27.76% and 7.86% votes respectively.
Lionel Messi and Neymar led Barcelona to a historic treble in the 2014-15 season, including the UEFA Champions League, LaLiga and Copa del Rey. The Argentine legend had recorded 58 goals and 31 assists in 57 appearances for La Blaugrana across competitions. Meanwhile, Neymar Jr. contributed 39 goals and 10 assists in 51 outings across competitions in Barca's treble-winning season.
Cristiano Ronaldo stood second on the list, after recording 61 goals and 23 assists in 54 appearances for Real Madrid across competitions. He won the European Golden Boot that season with 48 goals. He also won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with Los Blancos.
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar Jr. were also joint-highest goal scorers in the UEFA Champions League that season (10 goals).