Neymar compares ‘genius’ Verratti to Xavi and Iniesta
Neymar calls Marco Verratti ‘a genius’ and compares the Italy international to Xavi and Iniesta.
“I am really happy to have [Leo] Messi at PSG. He is not only an idol but also an ace, a genius and a friend. When you have friends by your side the day is lighter and more relaxed. Hopefully, we’ll write history as we did at Barcelona,” Neymar told La Repubblica.
Neymar and Messi won the Champions League in 2015, beating Juventus in the Final player in Berlin.
Andres Iniesta and Xavi were also part of that team and the Brazilian superstar has compared his two former teammates to Marco Verratti, who plays with him in Paris.
When asked who the players who have surprised him the most at PSG are, Neymar replied: “Two of them, [Kylian] Mbappé and [Marco] Verratti. Mbappé is young, fast, a great player. I knew Verratti was an excellent player, but I didn’t realise he was so spectacular. A genius.
“He’s one of the best midfielders I’ve played with, along with Xavi and Iniesta.”
Verratti has never played in Serie A as he joined PSG in 2012 after earning promotion from Serie B with Pescara.
The 28-year-old has nine goals in 353 appearances with the Ligue 1 giants and his contract at the Parc des Princes expires in June 2024.
He made his senior Italy debut in August 2012 in an international friendly lost 2-1 against England.
He has 48 caps and three goals with the Azzurri to his name.
Gli idoli di Neymar: da Pelé a Michael Jordan passando per … Verratti (VIDEO)https://t.co/VY3eJNV4Qj
— franco vanni (@franvanni) October 26, 2021
