Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ander Herrera is backing Neymar to soon replace Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to become the best player in the world.
Ever since Neymar arrived at PSG, he has continued to add career accolades with both team trophy wins and individual honors. The Brazilian’s current PSG run also includes multiple impressive wins, such as with the three UEFA Champions League knockout stage tie victories last season.
Herrera has been a teammate of Neymar’s for only two seasons at PSG. Overall, the Spanish midfielder has already seen enough of Neymar to make the claim that he will soon claim the top player in the world honor.
He spoke to the Spanish-based outlet EFE (via Sport) about this bold prediction.
“It is a world ‘top 3,’ he has been ‘top 5’ for many years and I think he is the natural replacement for Leo and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Herrera said. “Every time I see him, he gets better, with more knowledge of the game, of what the team needs at all times.
“When I arrived, he had said that he wanted to leave, but then there was a change in his head and I saw a footballer very involved. He organized group hangouts, tried to create a strong group, a good atmosphere. The pity is that last year we did not win the Champions League, but it was the best season in the club’s history.”
PSG will be without Neymar for its upcoming Champions League Round of 16 first leg fixture against Barcelona due to injury. Still, Herrera is well confident that the team still has enough to provide Barca with a grand challenge in the fixture.
“We lose a natural leader,” Herrera said. “In difficult moments, we know that we give the ball to him and something can happen, even when the team is suffering.
“In games like against Barcelona, in which you don’t have the ball, you know you have Neymar to give you a way out.
“We will prepare the game with the weapons we have. Last year, we also had matches without Kylian (Mbappe) or Ney and we stood up. Ney is important, but we have a good group of footballers who can assume that role of leader.”
Neymar could still very well return for the second leg bout against the Catalan giants. This will depend on his recovery process and if he can avoid any major setbacks along the way.
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