He is currently a target for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as a key player for Brazil, but the 19-year-old believes he is not the real star at Santos, reserving that honour instead for Ganso.
“Regardless of what is happening to me, in Brazil and worldwide, Ganso will never be eclipsed,” he said. “That guy is a star that few have. He is an ace in the pack, and everyone knows it. I hope he can return from injury as soon as possible to help both Santos and Brazil.”
Neymar was also asked who he believed was the best goalkeeper currently playing in Brazil, and without hesitation answered, “it’s Rafa,” in reference to Santos ‘keeper Rafael. Most others would have said Sao Paulo’s Rogerio Ceni, or Marcos of Palmeiras, but Neymar thinks differently.
“Those two may have more experience, but what matters is what is happening now,” he explained. “At the moment, there is no one better than Rafa. He is improving a lot.”
The forward compared two of the most in-form strikers in Brazil, Borges and Leandro Damiao, but this time could not pick a winner.
“I do not know who is better. They both score a lot of goals. The difference is that Damiao is just starting his career, and Borges is older. But they score goals in every way: with the ball at their feet, with headers…for me, they are equally as good.”
Neymar concluded by discussing his current boss at Peixe, Muricy Ramalho, who he describes as the best he had ever worked with. He also went on to praise Ramalho for Santos’ recent resurgence in the Campeonato Brasileiro.
“Of the coaches I have worked with, Muricy is the best,” said the youngster. “He has given us a nudge to wake up in the Brasileirão, because he knows we have a good squad of players here.
“After winning two championships, especially one as important as the Copa Libertadores, you end up getting a little soft on the job,” he admitted, explaining Santos’ poor start to the league campaign. “Over time, we were getting more match practice.”
