Neymar didn’t hesitate when asked to rank himself, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate

Neymar gave his take on the GOAT debate involving Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar did not hesitate when asked to rank himself, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a winner stays on game.

The Brazil sensation spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines recently after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament around a year ago after just five appearances for new club Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

He has just returned to action after a nightmare period following an £86.3 million transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

During that spell, the former Santos and Barcelona superstar took part in a rapid fire challenge with Pingpong.com.

Neymar does rare interview in English
Neymar rarely does interviews in English but the PSG star answered questions about the cost of his clothes. Credit: TikTok

The 32-year old was tasked with deciding between some of the very best players ever to play the game. Neymar was presented with two names and he could only pick one.

The first duel pitted Thierry Henry against Arjen Robben and Neymar went with the Arsenal legend. But when Henry was paired against Kylian Mbappe, Neymar selected his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate.

Real Madrid and France star Mbappe remained on top for a spell when put against compatriot Ousmane Dembele, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish.

But it was a different story when Ronaldinho entered the conversation, Neymar opting for his countryman.

Ronaldinho against Cristiano Ronaldo proved to be his most difficult contest but Neymar ultimately opted for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Then came the main event as Neymar was required to answer the age old debate of Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi.

But given he played with Messi at both Barca and PSG, he was always going to side with Messi to complete the bracket. There was no pause whatsoever as Neymar is in no doubt that Messi, with his eight Ballon d’Ors and 46 career trophies, is the best to to ever do it.

Neymar made his long-awaited return in a recent AFC Champions League game, coming off the bench to play 13 minutes.

He still has to wait to be back in the Brazil national team fold having been left out of the latest squad as he nears full fitness.

The King and His Court: Neymar Weighs In on Footballing Greats

Neymar’s return to action after a long injury layoff has been much anticipated, but his recent rapid-fire interview with Pingpong.com provided a different kind of excitement for football fans. The interview, a rare one conducted in English, saw the Brazilian star tackle a series of player duels, offering a glimpse into his personal pecking order of footballing greats.

Neymar’s choices offered intriguing insights. While his loyalty to his former teammate Kylian Mbappé was evident, ultimately the allure of Ronaldinho, his countryman and a legendary figure in his own right, proved too strong. This trend continued when faced with the monumental task of choosing between Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Despite Ronaldo’s impressive five Ballon d’Or awards, Neymar ultimately sided with his fellow Brazilian.

However, the true pièce de résistance arrived with the ultimate footballing debate: Messi vs. Ronaldo. Here, Neymar’s loyalties were clear. Having played alongside Messi at both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, the bond seemed unbreakable. Without any hesitation, Neymar declared Messi, with his record-breaking eight Ballon d’Ors and 46 career trophies, as the GOAT – the Greatest Of All Time.

While this choice might be considered predictable given his history with Messi, it serves as a powerful endorsement for the Argentinian maestro. Neymar’s opinion holds significant weight in the footballing world, and his unequivocal support for Messi adds another layer to the ongoing GOAT debate.

The interview not only reignited the Messi vs. Ronaldo discussion but also showcased the depth of talent Neymar holds in high regard. With his own return to form on the horizon, one can only wonder if the future holds a place for him amongst these greats, further complicating the ever-evolving conversation about football’s best.