Neymar Over Messi? Ex-OM Player Highlights What Made Brazilian Special at PSG | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain might have moved on from their superstar era, but the opponents who had to face them undoubtedly have stories regarding how tough they were to go up against.

From 2017 to 2023, the Parisians had Neymar Jr. in their ranks and during his tenure in the French capital, the Brazilian had an opportunity to reunite with his former FC Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.

One player who faced Neymar during their time at PSG was Maxime Lopez, who was at Olympique de Marseille. Moreover, Lopez notes that Neymar was the best player he faced, including going up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé, and notes why the 32-year-old is the best, even better than Messi.

“I played against him. Neymar is… I’ve faced Kylian, [and] Cristiano [Ronaldo], though not Messi, but I’ve played against world-class players… Is Neymar the most talented after Messi? Without a doubt,” Maxime Lopez said during the show Hors Jeu (h/t Le10Sport).

Clive Rose/Getty Images

“When we played against them—and we actually won that match—I was on the field thinking, how can he be this good? Honestly, it felt like he could do whatever he wanted out there. If he wanted to nutmeg you, he’d do it. He’s a genius.

“What saddens me is how his time at PSG turned out. And it’s not just because I’m from Marseille. His time at PSG makes me sad. We’ve ended up talking about him like he’s almost past his prime.”

Neymar would leave PSG last year when they sold him to Al-Hilal for €90 million. The forward hasn’t been the same since leaving European football after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay in October 2023 that has kept him out for a year.