Brazil legend, Cafu has said that Neymar Jr. surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in technical ability.
He praised his fellow countryman and expressed confidence in his participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are commonly acknowledged as the two greatest footballers in history.
They have been competing at the pinnacle of the sport for more than 15 years and continue to perform at a high level.
Many consider Neymar to be the next best player after this legendary pair at his peak.
Nevertheless, Cafu contends that the Santos forward was even superior to them, as he stated to The Times, “In my opinion, Neymar was technically superior to [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi. He has enjoyed an outstanding career.”
When questioned about the likelihood of the Brazilian participating in the World Cup this summer, Cafu remarked, “Any team that possesses a game-changing player like Neymar requires that player. If Neymar is in optimal condition—physically fit, tactically aware, and technically proficient—it is clear that he is a player who can influence matches.
“However, only Ancelotti can make that decision, and only Neymar can determine if he is prepared.”
Neymar has achieved over 200 goals and more than 150 assists during his time with Barcelona and PSG, accumulating numerous accolades.
He is also Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 goals and 59 assists in 128 appearances.