The 21-year-old's representative says the Brazil legend's recent criticism of his client is borne out of jealousy

Neymar's agent says Pele would be an inferior player to the Brazil star if he was playing today, after the three-time World Cup winner criticised his performances for the national side.

It was only a year ago that the 72-year-old suggested the Santos forward was the world's best player, but the mutual respect that once existed between the pair is now seemingly in tatters.

"Pele should look after his grandchildren instead of talking about Neymar, it is jealousy," Ribeiro told Globoesporte.

"If Pele played nowadays, he would be inferior to Neymar. In his time, all the defenders were slow and the fitness levels were not the same."

Earlier in the day O Estado de Sao Paulo had published an interview with Pele in which the national icon had been damning in his criticism of Neymar.

"For the national team, he's just an ordinary player. Every match we have outside the country, he doesn't perform well," Pele said.

"He's got a huge responsibility and his greatest concern is to change his style, change his hair cut."

http://www.goal.com/en/news/584/brazil/2013/02/21/3767739/neymar-agent-slams-inferior-pele

Mother of god. Wonder how this will pan out?

this is because Pele trolled Neymar badly on national radio i read

"For the national team, he's just an ordinary player," Pele told O Estado de Sao Paulo.

"He's got a huge responsibility and his greatest concern is to change his style, change his haircut.

"Every match we have outside the country, he doesn't perform well. Everyone thinks he's supposed to be the answer to every problem we have in the national team [but] Neymar is not ready for that much weight, he can't do it."

Pele then added his belief that Neymar's disappointing displays for Brazil, in comparison to those with Santos, where he has won the Copa Libertadores, are down to a lack of exposure to European tactics.

"He doesn't play in a foreign country, and European football is very different from what we play here in South America," he continued.

"He wants to get the ball, dribble, use his skills [but] he needs to leave the ball a little, play for the team.

"He's very inexperienced internationally. Barcelona would be the ideal place for him [but] I don't think he will leave because Santos still need him."

Pele jealous of Nerman

get a grip ffs, what a way to disrespect a legend of the game regardless of the trolling. Pele had more talent in his pinky toe than Neymar.

people always say that defenders of today would stop Pele because they are better conditioned. Do they ever consider the fact that Pele would also benefit from better condition? what a moron

I need one of those popcorn memes for this

Lol Neymar isn't even more talented than Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Romario.

Harmonica wrote:Mother of god. Wonder how this will pan out?

Probably a reverse jinx. Nermans agent has now canceled out pele's jinx and his form will now drop drastically.

Neymar hasn't done anything worthy to be mentionned among the best current players, let alone be compared to a legend of the sport.

I don't see anything wrong with what Pele said.

If Pele played nowadays, he would be inferior to Neymar. In his time, all the defenders were slow and the fitness levels were not the same.

LOOOOL

Shots fired.


And yes, it doesnt matter if what Pele said is wrong or right...what good does going off on a kid do?

He does this all the time, did with Ronaldo too...he is jealous.

Dont get me wrong..he is not jealous of his skill or what he has done..but he is jealous of the attention Neymar is now recieving and the perceived threat he is.

What he said about playing for the team is wrong though, Neymar does do that.