Brazilian star Neymar admitted Friday he could never reach Pele's level and weighed into a row between the footballing legend and Diego Maradona, saying Lionel Messi was the best in the world. The top-rated 19-year-old Neymar, who has been at the centre of a row between Pele and Maradona over whether he is better than Barca ace Messi, said the reigning world player of the year was superior "at the moment".
"I do believe Messi is the best player at the moment," the talented Santos striker told a packed press conference in Japan after jetting in for the Club World Cup, where he could come face-to-face with Messi in the final. And Neymar dismissed any comparisons with the iconic Pele, who remains idolised for his exploits for Santos and Brazil. "He's the one and only, he's the king of football," said Neymar, sporting his trademark blond mohawk. "To reach his level is something I don't think I can do."
Neymar has been described as technically better than Messi by Pele, earning a mocking response from Argentine great Maradona, who said the Brazilian must have mixed up his medication. The Club World Cup has been billed as a clash between Argentina's Messi, shortlisted once again for the Ballon D'Or, and his exciting young challenger from Brazil.
Neymar also batted away repeated questions about his future after reportedly being targeted by a series of top European clubs including Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid. Neymar, who last month signed a two-year contract extension with South American champions Santos, said he had nothing to prove at the world club tournament.