In a recent interview with Brazilian media outlet GE, former Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves dissected the differences between his former teammates Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr.
Alves revealed what makes the two players different and while Messi and Neymar have distinct qualities, the Brazil international classifies the duo as “geniuses of modern football.”
The veteran right-back went into detail regarding what Neymar can do that he hasn’t seen from any player during his career, considering the PSG can do things at a speed that few can.
”Neymar is a genius,” Alves said (h/t ESPN Brazil). “He can see things at a speed no one else can. This guy is different, not normal. It is not normal to have seen this or that.
“Only geniuses can do this kind of thing. I had the honor and pleasure to live with each other on a day-to-day basis and to be able to witness these two geniuses of modern football, Ney and Messi.”
Daniel Alves fez uma comparação entre Neymar e Messi, seus ex-companheiros de Barcelona. Concorda com ele? pic.twitter.com/QgyaJNnOie
— ge (@geglobo) November 5, 2022
Alves is one of the few players in football that can say he played with both Messi and Neymar when both were in their prime, so the former PSG defender got a front view of their best form.
”I had the honor of living and seeing every day,” Alves added. “They are special people, like the geniuses of other areas. They have their world, their private world, which you cannot enter. It’s not allowed for you. You can’t get in there.”
Messi and Neymar are teammates, but they will become rivals when the ball gets rolling on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as both players will be vying to win the tournament for their respective country.
