Seen him several times for Santos and he flatters to deceive. Brazilian defences are very weak and he often targets the weakest part of that defence - showing impressive intelligence, sure, but helps him look better. I think he's got a whole load of potential, if he reaches that potential he'll certainly be in most "best XI" teams. But putting him as one of the best players in the world currently? Not even close. Hazard is leaps and bounds ahead of him.
On the subject of strikers, has anyone seen this young Armenian bloke named Henrikh Mkhitaryan? He currently has 14 goals in 11 games for Shakhtar this season. I'm not saying he's anywhere near a World XI right now, but let's see in a couple of years.
He plays behind the striker(s) as well, which makes it all the more impressive. YouTube makes him look insane, but I might have to try and watch a Shakhtar game to get a good impression.
If you don't want to watch the Illychivets match this week (and why wouldn't you?) then they play Chelsea next week, that'll be fun. I imagine Douglas Costa would also be good to watch.
And Teixeira. And Willian. No wonder they've won every game so far this season. I might just check out the Illychivets game! Good lord, this is their most recent line-up. http://uk.soccerway.com/matches/201...nt-stock-company-fc-shakhtar-donetsk/1289316/ Yep, that's Eduardo and Douglas Costa, on the bench.
Here's a goal against Italy which definitely had nothing to do with someone laying the smackdown on the Italian defender. [video=youtube;3Yk8tWBl9SA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yk8tWBl9SA[/video]
GK Neuer RB Ramos CB Pique CB Kompany LB Alba CM Xavi CM Y Toure AML Ronaldo AMC Messi AMR Robben CF Falcao
Oleksiy Gai on the bench, too. Not bad. I might have to watch the Illychivets game too (provided I remember!)
4-3-3 -----------Neuer Lahm-Ramos-Chiellini-Cole ------------------------------- Iniesta----Xavi-Schweinsteiger ----------------------------- Messi----Falcao-----Ronaldo
Neymar is a very good player by the way. Remember.. he's only 20. The argument that the Brazilian league is weak has been used for so many Brazilian players over the years yet they have become stars at international level and/or in Europe..so I don't really buy that argument
Nobody has said he isn't very good. However, he is definitely not one of the best in the world at his position. Also, his age is irrelevant, I would assume age/potential is to have no role in this thread?
He's definitely one of the best forwards in the world. Don't kid yourself. 16 goals in 25 for Brazil. It took Messi 55 games to get 16 international goals..
Casillas Dani Alves Kompany Vidic Cole Toure Alonso Iniesta Messi Falcao Ronaldo Subs: Hart, Lahm, Pique, Kolarov, Xavi, Ribery, Ibrahimovic.
Don't kid yourself? You're a cretin. In order to add more substance to my allegation of you being a cretin, can I just point out that I've watched him play for Santos several times and while I agree he's a very talented player, to say he's in the best 3 forwards in the world (as the original poster has done) is far from accurate. 16 goals in 25? Impressive. I'm sure only the best forward in the world could score against the likes of China, Iraq, Ecuador, USA, Costa Rica and Scotland. He's full of potential and someday could certainly be in the discussion, but right now? As you say, "don't kid yourself". Trying to imply he's better than Messi is beyond stupid.
He already presented his entire argument. I don't think there's anything left to say. Just to add my two cents, my opinion of Neymar has been lowered considerably in the past few months. I used to think he was among the world's best, but I'm starting to think that; a) he'd struggle against top defenders; and b) he's a diving prick. I think he's another Robinho personally. Good, not great.
That's the impression I've got from watching him play in Brazil (though, he has obvious ability and is very young so I'm confident he'll eclipse Robinho) - Oscar, on the other hand, I was regularly impressed with. His performances for Chelsea are impressing me even more.
Yeah I've been really surprised by him. Another Brazilian I really rate is Pato, but he's had a horrible time with injuries. Lucas Moura might be good also.
