Review: Could Neymar Become Better Than Messi

Yes
Maybe
No

That's the answer

No.

Nice one lol...he certainly ha the potential to become better than Messi, but then again he has the Brazilian effect written all over him. Brazilian attacking geniuses have a habit of fading into obscurity right after reaching their peak(Rivaldo, Denilson, Ronaldinho, Bebeto; to a lesser extent Kaka, Ronaldo) ...at the same time, he performs for both club & country; something Messi can't boost of (as yet)...

My ultimate judgement: YES.

Neymar has only really produced for Brazil in friendlies. He had a poor Copa America though.

Not sure how this myth that Neymar produces for country got started.

Why isn't 'maybe not' not an option?

Well.. trouble is that apart from friendlies Brasil won't be playing anything else until 2013.

what about 2012 olympics

Tough luck. We can't say Neymar produces for country until he produces for his country no matter what he does in friendlies.

Well Messi tore-up the under-20 world cup and the 2008 olympics and does well in most friendlies for Argentina, yet people still say "he doesn't produce for country". Which I agree with for the most part, but then the same logic must be applied to Neymar if/when he does well in the olympics, other youth tournaments and friendlies.

The question should be rephrased to "Will Neymar Become Better Than Messi".

Most things "could" happen.

I agree. I think the World Cup and Copa America should be the standard of judgement because that is when each country bring their best players.

Spot on! Anyone could do anything....

Neymar will be awesome but Messi IS the best.

Well you are mostly right imo. The reason I used that reference of performing for country is Neymar hasn't had MANY opportunities YET to perform for country at a competition. (COPA America was the 1st, & though he was poor, he still outshone most of the Brazilian team & comparatively Messi as well with the Albiceleste, at that specific comp)...but again he hasn't had any real test in that domain to be judged; unlike Messi.

In general I would have to say that Neymar has been better for Brasil than Messi has been for Argentina.

- He was as influential in the U20 team;
- He was better at the Copa America;
- And he is without a doubt better in friendlies.

Given that apart from Copa America 2007 Messi has nothing to show for his senior national team efforts I would have to say Neymar has the edge so far in regards to the national team, but then again he has a much smaller record.

Nonsense! When Neymar was 17 he was playing at the under-17 world cup. Messi at that same age was playing at the under 20 world cup qualifying, where he was one of the top scorers! Then Messi was playing with guys mostly 2 years older than him yet scored 6 goals, won golden shoe, and u-20 WC champion.

I bit of a tough comparison since Messi has been a senior NT player for about 6 years, while Neymar has played 4 competitive games with Brazil.

But just to be clear, Messi doesn't perform for ARG the way he does for Barca. That is not the same as saying Messi doesn't perform for ARG at all. He is still usually Argentina's best player on the pitch.

I only stated facts. How can facts be nonsense?

Neymar didn't play in the 2009 u20 wc because he was at the u17 WC. So he is way behind Messi in terms of development.

The comparisons with Messi are just stupid and polluting this forum. Neymar isn't even top 50 in the world yet.

People forget Messi is merely 24 years old. Neymar prolly will be better than Messi when Messi reaches 31-32

For sure. But I think what the question is asking is, 'will Neymar have a better career than Messi?'.

hm well on club level depends on what club he chooses. On international I think its easier for him to win any silverware since Argentina has been struggling for a long time now.

Remember that Neymar is only 19 years old and Messi is 24 years old, so Messi is 5 years ahead of him
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6RA6HHzCU8&feature=related"]Messi vs Neymar - Skills 720p - YouTube[/ame]

lol okay. Lets wait until Neymar is one of the top 50 players in the world before comparing him to #1, yeah?

Neymar was already in TOP20 by FIFA ballon dor list- if not TOP10 or higher

We both know that's nonsense.

For starters, that award favors attack-minded players over central & defensive midfielders and defenders. A quick look at the list of 23 for Ballon d'Or and I see 15 attack-minded players, 2 central midfielders, 2 defensive midfielders, 3 defenders (one of which plays like a winger) and 1 goalkeeper.

Secondly, even if they had to include 15 attack-minded players, they didn't do a very good job of picking the 15 that actually played the best in 2011 (for instance, van Persie had a better year than Neymar, but is not even included).

yeah, but neymar has like a really cool haircut and he's been in a nike commercial and he did like 7 stepovers once and like he is playing at pele's old club and he...