Ronaldo no better than Neymar: Pele

The Brazil legend Pele believes his compatriot is superior on the ball to the four-time Ballon d’Or winner, but still falls short in one key area.

He has claimed that Barcelona and Brazil superstar Neymar is “technically way better” than Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo was named the Ballon d’Or winner for the fourth time in 2016 and also picked up the award for the Men’s Player of the Year from FIFA following his Champions League and European Championship wins.

Despite Ronaldo’s achievements over the past 12 months and in his career as a whole, Pele believes his only advantage over Neymar is his aerial power.

“The only problem that Neymar has is heading,” Pele told UOL Esporte. “Cristiano Ronaldo is not better than him.

“Technically, Neymar is way better, but [Ronaldo] is better when using the head. You don’t see Neymar scoring with the head, and that counts.”

The 91-time Brazil international, who scored 77 goals for his country between 1957 and 1971, is pleased with the direction in which new manager Tite is taking the team.

Pele believes the Selecao are now playing as a unit rather than a team of skilled individuals and has backed them to bounce back from the disappointment of the 2014 World Cup.

“One of the things that gave me most satisfaction was to see Tite’s approach,” the former Santos forward admitted.

“Brazil always had good players - since the time of Leonidas, Brazil always had great players. But what was our problem? We didn’t have a team.

“I like his interview, he said: ‘Oh, let’s play these games only with Brazilian players who are here. If we need you, we will call you. But first we give the chance to those who are playing here [in Brazil]. Good players, new players.’

“I hope it works. Tite is on the right path.”

Source: Goal