Pele tips Neymar for greatness

Brazil legend Pele thinks Santos forward Neymar is at the same level as Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

The 19-year-old sensation is considered to be one most promising talents of his generation after enjoying an impressive season for club and country.

Brazil and Argentina have always competed against each other for footballing sovereignty over South America, and Pele has declared that the Selecao do not have any reason to envy their neighbours.

“They [Argentina] talk about Maradona and Messi, but we have Neymar, who will be a great player with the skills he has,” Pele told Globo.

“Santos are a factory which produces stars, they produce players without spending anything. These are good times for the club.”

Pele added that Neymar should be more aggressive to prevent being a regular target of defenders.

“I am not thinking about getting into fights, but to learn how to defend himself,” Pele noted. “I have always told this to Neymar whenever I have met him.”

“He is very skilled, the best on his team, so of course he will receive special marking and he must learn how to defend himself.”