Neymar Has No Plan to Usurp Lionel Messi, Concerned by Argentina vs. Brazil Game
Barcelona forward Neymar isn't bothered by trying to topple Lionel Messi as the Blaugrana's best player and is instead focused on fulfilling his potential.
The Brazilian told SporTV (h/t Stefan Coerts of Goal.com) that he isn't worried by comparisons to Messi:
"It is not my goal to try to surpass Messi. I am just trying to follow my own career path. I want to keep on doing the things that I have been doing, to win titles and to achieve my goals. But I am not attempting to be better than any one else. My goal is to keep improving myself.
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Neymar previously admitted it would be a "great achievement" and an "honour" to join Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo on the shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d'Or award, as reported by TV Globo (h/t Richard Arrowsmith of MailOnline).
Wagner Ribeiro, the player's agent, believes he will achieve this and more in the coming years, as reported by Vanessa Rodrigues of Goal.com: "This year Neymar will feature among the three best players in the world. The award will then come naturally after that, perhaps this year or in 2016."
He enjoyed a fantastic 2014-15 season, one that improved on his first-year productivity at the Camp Nou. Neymar scored a sensational 39 goals across La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey, working marvelously with Messi and Luis Suarez, who can be considered football's most lethal attacking three.
Messi's willingness to drop and take control of the ball allows Neymar the opportunity to burst forward. The players work for one another, making them elusive and hard to predict. Having Messi in the team ensures Neymar's off days—as rare as they are—don't cripple Luis Enrique's side in the heat of battle.
Neymar's suspension for his dismissal during Brazil's Copa America loss to Colombia will have ended by the time the Selecao take on Argentina on Nov. 8. Although he is ready to make up for lost time, Neymar doesn't fancy being on the opposite side to Leo, reported Coerts:
"Messi is a big star," he said. "It is not a good thing to be playing against him, but not necessarily a bad thing either. But I will do everything within my powers to win. It will be a tough game, but the truth is that all qualifiers will be tough."
Brazil coach Dunga will look toward the captain for not only match-winning performances but also an improved attitude. Unlike Messi, he is prone to getting wound up on the pitch, often to his team's detriment. This was highlighted against Colombia, when he reacted badly to rough treatment by punting the ball at Pablo Armero and appearing to headbutt goalscorer Jeison Murillo.
One of Messi's greatest traits is that even when he doesn't score or contribute in an obvious manner, he is capable of helping the team win. This may be through a smart piece of movement that frees up space for Neymar or another colleague to capitalise. True greatness cannot simply be measured in goals and assists.
Neymar has learned this over two years with the Blaugrana. His self-belief is obvious in his play, but it's important he doesn't become hung up on challenging Messi atop the footballing tree. Few stars, if any aside from Ronaldo, can claim to be on his level in the current era.
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