When Neymar took the stage back in 2009, he was only 17 years old but he was already an image for Brazil to rely on in the future. New face of Brazilian football, new ‘Pele’, sponsorships galore at an early age. His talent was never in doubt, his skills with the ball either but most believe he never managed to fulfil his potential.Of course, it is ‘bad luck’ for anyone who appeared in the times of Messi/Ronaldo rivalry as the two overshadowed anyone who emerged but if only Neymar had other things sorted out – he would possibly rise above the two superstars of the game. By other things, most mean discipline, work ethic and leadership.For years now Brazilian supporters insist on an argument if Neymar is in fact better than the Portuguese and the Argentine. One of their national football legends Cafu joined the discussion and stated that Neymar is technically better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – but in order to match them fully – he needs to take proper responsibility of being a leader.We will see Neymar around for some time, Pochettino believesNeymar left Barcelona for PSG in August 2017, in search of becoming the main figure at a club where he was playing. However, with Kylian Mbappe imposing as the main man of the Paris club and with Messi also moving to the capital of France recently – Neymar failed to live through his dream of commanding a squad.Neymar remains one of the modern era’s true greats regardless of never being able to fulfil the potential that many saw would take him to receiving the Ballon d’Or. “Neymar is technically better than Messi, better than Cristiano Ronaldo, but he must assume the responsibility of a leader,” Cafu explained at the MARCA Sports Weekend event in Seville.”One must dedicate themselves 100 percent to football, I’m not better than Neymar, but I am better than other right-backs because I dedicated myself to that. He [Neymar] has to become a captain.”In his own club career in Europe, Cafu played at the highest level for Serie A sides Roma and AC Milan. With his national team he won the 2002 World Cup, establishing him as one of the greats of Brazilian football.
