Santos legend Pelé has bemoaned the Paulista side"s dependence on Neymar for success, believing instead that it is midfielder Arouca who carries the side through the tough times.
Neymar, 20, bears the weight of expectations for Peixe supporters heading into big matches in the Copa Libertadores, and is too often required to carry the team by himself, or alongside Arouca.
Pelé believes that the team need to take some of the pressure off the shoulders of Neymar to allow him to perform at his best.
“The big name in my opinion was Arouca, although I don"t understand anything about football. When he doesn"t play, we are a different team," Pelé told Terra Esporte.
“We cannot just believe that Neymar will solve all the problems. Everything depends on the entire team – the whole unit is important.
“In the opening games of the Libertadores, he [Neymar] didn"t play well. He is the most targeted player, it is difficult. He cannot be the player who must always save Santos. You can"t always rely on him. The team is living like this – it is not correct."
