As Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are now reaching the backend of their prime days, some have already begun to speculate on who will be the player to replace these two. When it comes to replacing both Messi and Ronaldo, it not only comes down to being the next top player in world football but also to being the next face of the sport.
Brazilian defender Miranda is well familiar with both Messi and Ronaldo as he faced the two numerous times while with Atletico Madrid. And for Miranda, he is backing Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar to be the one to replace the two superstars at the top of the mountain. He spoke about these three stars during an interview with ESPN Brazil (via UOL).
“Of the ones I faced, it is impossible not to say that they were Cristiano, Messi and Neymar, they are the three best strikers today,” Miranda said. “Of the three, the most unpredictable is Messi, who has a great talent and is a player who surprises. Cristiano has to be respected, especially because in the history of football he is one of the athletes who had the greatest performance.
“For me, Neymar has the talent to replace these two. I do not hide it, Neymar is the one who has more talent and who is much closer to these two. Neymar is the set of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Neymar is sure to have competition from many active footballers for the title to be the next best player in the world and the one to replace this pair. From Kylian Mbappe to Robert Lewandowski, Neymar will need to continue to step up his game in order to create separation away from the other top players in the game today.
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