Joey Barton stands by his famous claim that Neymar is the ‘Justin Bieber of football’, telling talkSPORT he ‘isn’t even on the same street’ as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Neymar debate has been reopened this week after his dazzling display as Paris Saint-Germain sealed their place in the Champions League semi-finals.
The French giants overcame a scare against Italian underdogs Atalanta to go through with two late goals from Marquinhos and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, but Neymar was the star of the show with a performance that had everything… apart from a goal.
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Not everyone is convinced by the Brazilian, though, and arguments have began on air over whether the Brazilian forward should be considered one of the best players in the world.
Barton made his infamous comparison back in 2013, saying: “Neymar is the Justin Bieber of football. Brilliant on the old YouTube. Cat p*** in reality…”
Has he been proven wrong? It’s certainly up for discussion.
While Neymar was named man-of-the-match for his brilliant individual display in the Champions League this week, he still couldn’t finish for toffee. He may also have won three Ligue 1 titles, two French Cups, two French League Cups and one Trophee des Champions (the French version of the Community Shield), but some are not convinced by his talent.
Talented he is, there’s no doubt about that. He’s one of the most skilful players with the ball at his feet, ready and able to do things with the ball few other players can and that get fans out of their seats – whether they’re in the stadium or, like we are now, watching from home.
But having chosen to swap Barcelona for a more lucrative deal at PSG, his on-pitch playacting and the ongoing questions over his lifestyle and off-the-pitch personality mean there are plenty who are still not fans of the Brazilian poster boy.
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And it appears Barton is still one of them.
In fact, the former Manchester City midfielder believes Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne are a level above him.
“I’m not a fan, I’ve never quite seen what others see in him,” the former Premier League star and current Fleetwood Town boss said on Friday’s talkSPORT Breakfast.
“Obviously he’s the golden boy of Brazilian football and I think he’s a top player, there’s no doubt about that. He’s a better player than I’ve ever been and will ever be.
“But it was in comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and I don’t think he’s ever been in that street.
“People were comparing him very, very prematurely to take over the mantel of Messi and Ronaldo, and the fact those two boys are still at it kind of says what’s happened to Neymar over the last five or six years.
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“I think the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne have gone past him now as consistent elite-level performers
“I don’t even think Neymar in the top five best players in the world.
“But look, it’s a game of opinions and no doubt everybody has got their opinion on it.
“For me, Messi and Ronaldo have redefined our era of football and you can’t compare Neymar to them.”
Listen to a clip of Joey Barton on talkSPORT Breakfast above
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