Rivaldo exclusive: I think Neymar made a mistake leaving Barça
The former Barcelona and Brazil foward spoke with SPORT for a Betfair campaign
SPORT sat down with Brazil and Barcelona legend Rivaldo at a campaign for Betfair to talk about football...
Coutinho's become the latest Brazilian to join Barça, how do you think he's getting on?
I am sure he's happy. He hadn't won anything at Liverpool and at Barça he's already won two trophies, La Liga and the Copa del Rey. He has a lot of confidence at Barça, he's in a team that will give him time, the fans, too, and he will demonstrate how good he is.
You criticised the departure of another Brazilian last summer, Neymar. Did he make a mistake?
It's difficult to say, but if you want to be the best in the world, PSG are strong, but they don't have tradition in the Champions League, they're not the strongest in Europe. The French league isn't like the English, Spanish or German leagues, either. For that reason, I think he made a mistake, but financially it was good for him and his family.
Would you advise him to leave to win the Ballon d'Or?
You have to win the Champions League, achieve something different, to win the Ballon d'Or. His team will always win the league and the cup but, like I say, it's not the strongest championship.
What modern player would you compare yourself with?
When you're not playing, it's difficult to make comparisons. I was fighting to be the best, I was confident and we need players like that today. Cristiano, Messi, Neymar are all really good and there are others, but if you want to be the best in the world you have to work really hard, like they do.
Who was the best player you played with?
At Barcelona, it was Kluivert, for sure. It was easy to play with him. And for Brazil? Ronaldo. Such a strong player, a great character and for that reason he was the best in the world.
The other debate is: Messi or Ronaldo?
The best at the moment is Cristiano Ronaldo, the current champion. For me, Messi has a little more quality with the ball. I like how hard Cristiano works, you saw the difference in the Clasico when he went off.
Barça will miss Iniesta?
Yes, but that's life. Barça will suffer, but others will arrive. I left, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho... but you have to look for other players with similar quality. Of courst that's not easy, Iniesta could be chosen as the best player in the world for everything he has done with Barcelona and the national team.
