Pele: Neymar destined for greatness

Brazil legend Pele believes Santos forward Neymar has the potential to reach the heights of some of the game’s greatest names.

Neymar is regarded as one of the hottest commodities on the transfer market after an impressive season for both club and country.

His exploits have drawn the attention of several clubs in Europe, with Real Madrid understood to be pursuing a 45-million-euro deal for the 19-year-old.

Pele, who played for Santos from 1956 to 1974, admits the Brazilian Serie A club will struggle to keep Neymar given the widespread interest in the prodigy.

“I think it will be very difficult to keep him in Brazil, Santos are my team and he started there with us. I hope he stays there until more or less the 2014 World Cup, but it will be a little difficult to keep him here,” Pele told fifa.com.

“He is a good player, there is no doubt. He will be like a Kaka, a (Lionel) Messi – of that there is no doubt. Or a Ronaldo, a Zico, a Pele. He is an excellent player. I hope that he does (reach his potential).”

Neymar turned down the opportunity to join Chelsea at the start of last season, and Pele thinks that his compatriot made the right choice.

Pele explained: “I think it was good for him, because to play in England I think it would have been a little complicated for him. The style of Neymar in England, Germany and Italy is a little complicated because the marking is very tight.”