FC Barcelona’s Club Director of Sporting institutional relations Albert Soler, backs Neymar as the second best player in the world behind Lionel Messi.
Albert Soler was full of praises in his press conference, highlighting how the Catalans had relish a luxuriant summer and even went as far as stating, “Neymar is the second best player in the world behind Messi,” Soler revealed. But how much truth is in Barca’s Club Director statement?
Although Neymar is a phenomenal player who shouldered the Brazilian national team to their first gold medal in the 2016 Olympics, and scored the winning penalty kick to the delight of his home country, Soler may be reaching a too far with his comment. Let’s take a look at some players who are currently ahead of the Brazilian star…
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo was once again nothing short of spectacular after leading both Real Madrid and Portugal to European Championship glory, scoring 50 goals for the sixth consecutive seasons in all competitions didn’t hurt either.
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Last campaign saw Ronaldo run less, touched the ball less and dribbled less, something we’re not accustomed of seeing out of him. Is the fleet-footed winger turning into goal poacher? Regardless of what the case may be, CR7 had a prolific year and his numbers should remain steady as he continues to roam around the penalty box.
Luis Suarez
After a slow start to the 2015-16 season, the Uruguay international scored ungodly amount of goals for Barcelona as he torched La Liga with 40 goals combined with 19 assists in 35 appearances, simply magisterial.
In April, when Barca were in the middle of a three games losing streak, Suarez stepped-up and delivered when it mattered the most. The talisman scored an outrageous 14 goals in the last 5 games of the season while helping the Blaugranas secure another league trophy.
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Antoine Griezmann
The player of the tournament in Euro 2016, Antoine Griezmann scored 22 of 63 (35 percent) Atletico Madrid’s goals in La Liga, equaling him to Luis Suarez’s (35 percent for Barcelona). The France international single-handedly carried Atleti to the Champions League final before being ousted by the 11-time European Champions.
Indeed, Diego Simeone side are not set up to assemble chances like their foe Real Madrid and Barcelona. Griezmann was still able to produce, scoring one winner against Real Madrid to go along with six assists in the course of the season. The 25-year-old was the top three finalist for the UEFA Best Player in Europe award.
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