Neymar needed to leave Barcelona and step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow, claims Pele
Brazilian legend backs the Samba star's decision to join Paris Saint-Germain in world-record deal and says he can now show what he is capable of
BRAZILIAN legend Pele has backed Neymar’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain and says he “needed to move” from Barcelona.
The 25-year-old shocked football when he left the Nou Camp for the French capital last month.
Despite Barca’s attempts to keep hold of the attacker, they were powerless to stop him becoming the planet’s most-expensive player when PSG forked out £198million to meet his buy-out clause.
Since then he has fired three goals in three matches for the Parisians, and he will soon be joined in attack by French wonderkid Kylian Mbappe.
Although many have criticised him for quitting Spain in favour of France and the mega-wages on offer, Neymar does at least have the support of his country’s greatest-ever footballer.
And three-time World Cup winner Pele says the star made the right choice to step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow and show everyone that he is ready to take on the mantle as the best on the globe.
Speaking to , the iconic 76-year-old said: "At the moment the best player in Brazil is Neymar and I think the move for him was very good because there was huge competition with [Lionel] Messi at Barcelona.
"I think it's a good opportunity for him and he needed to move because now he can really play and show what he's capable of."
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But Pele did have some words of caution for the Samba sensation.
He added: "It's also very dangerous when you get given that responsibility."
Neymar is currently on international duty with Brazil, who have already qualified for Russia 2018, and played in the 2-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday without finding the net.
He will be hoping to bag his 53rd goal for his country when they take on Colombia in their penultimate World Cup qualifier in the early hours of Wednesday.
However, PSG will be hoping that Samba Boys boss Tite leaves out his talisman for the clash with their place already cemented at next summer’s showpiece.
The French giants are back in Ligue 1 action on Friday night when they travel to Metz before heading to Celtic next Tuesday to begin their Champions League quest.
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