Neymar and Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Arsenal Manager Believes Neymar Can Be the Best Player in the World

Former Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain manager Unai Emery believes Neymar Jr. has the talent to usurp Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world.

Emery was in charge of Paris when Neymar arrived from FC Barcelona in 2017 for a world-record transfer fee but after a failed run in the UEFA Champions League, Emery departed the club at the end of the 2017-18 season.

Despite the short time together, Emery apparently saw enough to make a bold claim, as reported by EFE (via Daily Mail).

“I had a magnificent year with [Neymar],” Emery told Diego Martinez, the coach of Granada CF and his former assistant at Sevilla FC.

“I learned so much watching his responses in each training and in games. Neymar has the talent inside him but also has the abilities and qualities to execute it.”

“I think he’s got an opportunity to take the baton from Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and be the best player in the world, and he has the time to do it.”

The praise from Emery is interesting considering he’s made the statement in the past that Neymar is the one at PSG who is in charge and not the manager, sporting director, or president.

Emery has also said that Neymar should return to Spain, seemingly undermining his former employer who would very much keep one of the best players in the world.

Nothing Emery has said about Neymar being the heir apparent to Messi or Ronaldo is groundbreaking. I think we all know that and if Neymar can stay healthy like he has this season, the sky is the limit.

At this point, I wish a club would hire Emery as their manager so he can concentrate on football and stop talking about his time at PSG so much.

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Tags Arsenal Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi Neymar Unai Emery
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