The current São Paulo manager was the man that led Santos to Libertadores when Neymar and his charges romped to success in 2011.
Speaking to Brazil’s Globo TV network, the often outspoken Muricy Ramalho didn’t hold back when asked his opinion on Neymar’s current dip in form.
“I think that the kid (Neymar) is sad. This was always my concern about him moving to Europe. I was worried that he would sit on the bench with a World Cup on its way.”
Muricy feels that the Neymar’s team-mate Lionel Messi is reluctant to give the ball to the 22-year-old Brazilian.
“The other day it was really obvious in two moves against Manchester City. Messi got the ball and Neymar was open to the right with a clear chance of scoring a goal but Messi didn’t pass the ball.”
Muricy went on to question Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino after he left both Neymar and Messi on the bench against Atlético Madrid recently.
“It was a top-of-the-table clash and he left both on the bench. That’s crazy. I’m a football fan and I was looking at Neymar and Messi on the bench.”
Despite accepting that Neymar is not in his finest form, Muricy thinks that the striker needs just one more year before he can become the best in the world.
“I think that Neymar will be the best in the world in another year or so. At the moment Messi is still the number one. Neymar is preparing to be the best in the world and he’s learning how to take his chances and be patient. He’s on the right path to becoming the best in the world,” he completed.
