Neymar Santos, father of Barcelona forward Neymar, gave a long interview to Spanish radio station COPE on Thursday and talked about various topics involving the child’s name in recent days.
In the conversation, Neymar Santos also gave his opinion on the Ballon d’Or award. Although his son is the only Brazilian player nominated, his favorite to win the award is Neymar’s club-mate Lionel Messi. He said: “Messi deserves the Ballon d’Or. We all know who Messi is and what he means. He is the idol of my son and for him, it’s a pleasure being at his side. He is always happy for playing together and he is playing here for Messi.”
Asked if he don’t dream to see his son win the award for the world’s best player, Neymar Santos said that’s not an obsession for the family. He added: “I will not say that it’s not important, but I will not say that it wouldn’t be good. But today, it’s not something necessary. If Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never existed, probably Neymar never existed too; the same with Pelé and Maradona, both inspired a lot of players.”
Last weekend, the number 11 of Barça was targeted by Valencia fans during the celebration after the goal of Messi. Neymar was hit by a bottle thrown from the stands, and the tension in the game generated much controversy in Spain. In the interview, Neymar Sr. came out in defense of the player. He said: “I freaked out when the bottle fell, but then saw that it was water. As it was an impact, we knew that there was no damage caused, it was okay. He’s fine, quiet. It was an important victory, a very tough game. Football is like that. It’s a game and the nerves are on the edge. For us it’s normal. In football there are provocations on both sides.”
Neymar Santos, father of Barcelona forward Neymar, gave a long interview to Spanish radio station COPE on Thursday and talked about various topics involving his child’s name in recent days.
In the conversation, Neymar Santos also gave his opinion on the Ballon d’Or award. Although his son is the only Brazilian player nominated, his favorite to win the award is Neymar’s club-mate Lionel Messi. He said: “Messi deserves the Ballon d’Or. We all know who Messi is and what he means. He is the idol of my son and for him, it’s a pleasure being at his side. He is always happy for playing together and he is playing here for Messi.”
Asked if he don’t dream to see his son win the award for the world’s best player, Neymar Santos said that’s not an obsession for the family. He added: “I will not say that it’s not important, but I will not say that it wouldn’t be good. But today, it’s not something necessary. If Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo never existed, probably Neymar never existed too; the same with Pelé and Maradona, both inspired a lot of players.”
Last weekend, the number 11 of Barça was targeted by Valencia fans during the celebration after the goal of Messi. Neymar was hit by a bottle thrown from the stands, and the tension in the game generated much controversy in Spain. In the interview, Neymar Sr. came out in defense of the player. He said: “I freaked out when the bottle fell, but then saw that it was water. As it was an impact, we knew that there was no damage caused, it was okay. He’s fine, quiet. It was an important victory, a very tough game. Football is like that. It’s a game and the nerves are on the edge. For us it’s normal. In football there are provocations on both sides.”
