Messi vs Neymar: A Examination of Two Football Titans
Messi vs Neymar: Football, the beautiful game, has been graced by some truly extraordinary talents over the years. Two names that frequently spark passionate debates among fans worldwide are Lionel Messi and Neymar da Silva Santos Jr., universally known as Messi and Neymar. These individuals, with their otherworldly skills and remarkable achievements, have left indelible imprints on the sport. In this comprehensive article, we dive into the intricate “Messi vs Neymar” comparison, exploring who stands out in this friendly rivalry.
Comparison chart
Before delving into the finer details, it is crucial to understand the football journey of these two superstars. Lionel Messi, hailing from Argentina, is widely revered as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His humble beginnings at FC Barcelona, growing through La Masia academy to become the club’s most decorated player, have become football folklore.
On the other hand, Neymar, a Brazilian sensation, emerged from the famous Santos FC, gaining worldwide attention for his exceptional skill set. His successful stints at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have cemented his status as one of the finest players of his generation.
| Lionel Messi | Neymar | |
| Full name | Lionel Andrés Messi | Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior |
| Also, known as | Lionel “Leo” Messi | Neymar |
| Date of birth | 24 June 1987 | 5 February 1992 |
| Place of birth | Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina | Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil |
| Current Club | PSG | PSG |
| Main position | Striker | Striker |
| Club Appearances | 778 | 129 |
| Club Goals | 672 | 63 |
| National Teams | Argentina | Brazil |
| International Appearances | 151 | 71 |
| International Goals | 76 | 49 |
| Trophies |
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| Net Worth | $600 million | $185 million |
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Neymar vs Messi goals comparison
When discussing Messi vs Neymar goals, it’s essential to recognize the uniqueness of their goal-scoring abilities. Lionel Messi will be a legend in modern football along with the players such as Diego Maradona, Pele, and Zinedine Zidane right after he quit playing football.
During his career path, Lionel Messi scored 672 goals for FC Barcelona, 13 goals for Paris Saint Germain, and 86 goals for the national Argentina football team. The hundreds of goals he had scored for Barcelona and the Argentina national football teams are the reason why he is considered the best professional football player in modern football.
On the other side, Neymar had 400 goals in total, which include 138 goals while he was in Santos, the very first football team in which Neymar played until 21 years old.
From 2013 – 2017, the Brazillian star players had 114 goals, which means 28.5 goals per season. He has currently scored 69 goals in PSG, and plenty of those are the decision maker for PSG.
In the Brazillian national football team, Neymar has currently scored 61 goals after 101 appearances. The remaining 18 goals were scored by Neymar in the youth teams which include: 1 goal in the U17, 9 goals in the U20, and 8 goals in the Olympic teams.
Messi and Neymar’s salary comparison
Lionel Messi is the player who had the highest income while he was in Barcelona. The Argentinian player earns 71 million EURO per year with plenty of add-ons in his contract while he was in Barcelona.
According to El Mundo, the expanding contract in 2017 helped M10 earn 555 million EURO after 4 years. Despite his high performances on the pitch, Lionel Messi had to move to another football club as a free transfer because of a bad decision in financial from Barcelona owners.
With Neymar, he is among the top 3 players who had the highest income. According to France Football, the Brazillian player earned 49 million EURO in salary and add-ons per year. This is higher than his teammate in PSG that is Kylian Mbappe (21.2 million EURO). If having the advertising income, the Brazilian star player earns a total of 95 million euros per year.
According to the latest financial report of Parc des Prince’s owner, Neymar’s current salary is 36.7 million EURO per year, 3.060.000 EURO per month, and 765.000 EURO per week.
Messi vs Neymar football style comparison
Messi has a lower center of gravity than most players. That could allow him to change direction quickly and evade tackles easily while facing the opponent’s defender. He plays a free attack and a playmaking role. Messi is also famous for his finishing, his pace, dribbling, vision, and passing ability.
On the other side, Neymar is not only famous for creating the technique of supporting the ball in the air called “The Neymar Touch”, but the Brazilian also possesses rare skills in the sport, especially the “Neymar Flick” skills. This is the skill of walking and picking the ball through the opponent’s head.
In addition, Neymar is also known when pretending to be the ball but suddenly turning back and balloting the ball through the opponent’s defender. When he realized that his defender was too close to the opponent, he could not manage, Neymar immediately launched a warehouse for his teammates as soon as he was in the right position for a shootout.
Messi vs Neymar head-to-head comparison
The prospect of Messi and Neymar facing off has always been an exciting prospect for football fans. However, with Leo’s recent move to PSG, they now share the locker room, adding a new dimension to the Messi vs Neymar head-to-head dynamic. They are great teammates for both Barcelona and PSG.
However, they are a true opponent in the national teams. Both Argentina and Brazil have faced each other 4 times. Messi had 3 win games, compared to 1 Neymar. The Argentinian player had 6 goals when Argentina and Brazil faced each other and Neymar’s goals were 0. The Brazillian player had scored 2 goals against Argentina but this is the game in which Messi could not participate due to injuries.
During the first head-to-head competition between Messi and Neymar in November 2010, Messi scored a goal that lead to Argentina’s victories, and Neymar was 18 years old at that time. In Jun 2012, Argentina defeated Brazil with a score of 4-3 in an international friendly match. Messi had scored a triple goal at that time. A year later, there was another Brazil vs Argentina scheduled game, Brazil won the match with a score of 2-0 while Messi missed a penalty shootout.
Conclusion: Messi vs Neymar – Who is the Best?
This is a subjective question and depends on personal preference. While Messi’s consistency and longevity make him a contender for the greatest of all time, Neymar’s flair, skillset, and impact in crucial matches underscore his significant influence in contemporary football.
The “Messi vs Neymar” comparison showcases the uniqueness of these footballing icons. Each has carved their niche, displaying extraordinary skills, smashing records, and accruing numerous accolades. Their performances continue to captivate fans, etching unforgettable memories in the annals of football history.
As the debate rages on, fans are reminded of the beauty and diversity that football offers. These two players, with their unique styles and remarkable skills, symbolize the essence of the beautiful game.
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