BRAZILIAN superstar Neymar to switch from Barcelona to bitter rivals Real Madrid?
Surely not. So says former Barca player Hristo Stoichkov who believes the 24-year-old is ‘too smart’ to make what would be a sensational switch.
He certainly wouldn’t be the first player to do so, Portuguese ace Luis Figo became public enemy number one as far as Barcelona fans were concerned when he left the Nou Camp for the Madrid giants back in 2000, the ultimate betrayal in their eyes.
It’s not just Real Madrid who are supposedly chasing Neymar – currently enjoying his best season at Barcelona – Manchester pair, City and United, have also been linked with the forward.
But is there room for Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the same Barcelona team long term? And will staying put harm Neymar’s dream of winning the coveted Ballon d’Or?
There’s no doubt even with the pool of talent at the two Premier League outfits, the Brazilian would be the number one man at either City or United – a mantle he’s unlikely to hold for some time at Barcelona.
But as Stoichkov claims on FourFourTwo, he does not expect Neymar to follow in the footsteps of Figo and “become a Judas”.
The Bulgarian, who himself won the Ballon d’Or in 1994, has also backed the ex-Santos man to follow in his footsteps and earn individual accolades at Barcelona.
“I think Neymar will win a Ballon d’Or with the Barca shirt, he will not be another Judas,” Stoichkov said. “He’s a smart guy, knows this is his team.”
Wishful thinking on Stoichkov’s part or is it time for Neymar to step out of Messi’s shadow and challenge himself to rise to even greater heights?
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