Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon has named Neymar as the best footballer he’s ever played with, placing the Brazilian above Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Zinedine Zidane.
Speaking with Corriere della Sera, Buffon spoke highly of Neymar’s boundless talent, claiming the forward deserved many Ballon d’Or titles: “Neymar [was the best]. He should have won five Ballon d’Ors for the player and the person he is,” Buffon said.
Having played with three generations of footballers, Buffon’s glittering career spanned three decades on the pitch with several football greats. “I played with three generations of footballers. How can I decide? Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, Cristiano, Iniesta.” he says.
However, it was the creativity and flair of Neymar that ultimately made the deeper impression on Buffon. Despite his undeniable talent, Neymar’s career has often been hindered by injuries and inconsistency, factors that many believe have kept him from reaching his full potential.
Currently playing for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, Neymar remains one of the most gifted and polarizing players of his generation. An endorsement by Buffon serves as a reminder of how brilliant the Brazilian star was, even in the shadow of some of football’s most iconic names.
