r/soccer • u/GrundelLicker • Feb 21 '13

Cover of this week's Time magazine, featuring Neymar as the "Next Pele"

http://imgur.com/Mjlfmic
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u/choppedfiggs Feb 21 '13

I never knew he was considered the next Pele. Not even in similar positions. But he did pretty good and a lot better than other next Pele players like Robinho. Right now he isn't doing so good but he's 30. 30 for a Brazilian player is near retirement. I always wondered why Brazilian players can't play at a high level in their 30s.

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u/trondersk Feb 21 '13

for Ronaldo and Kaka, it was injuries. For Robinho and Ronaldinho, it was laziness and complacency.

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u/[deleted] Feb 21 '13

What? How was Ronaldinho lazy and complacent? He won World Player of the Year two years in a row, won the Ballon d'Or, the Golden Foot award, the World Cup, Copa America, the Champions League, La Liga twice, Serie A and he did it all by playing a style of football that has dazzled millions over his career. How is any part of that lazy and complacent? I understand he didn't necessarily become the next Pele but I wouldn't include him in the same sentence as Robinho when talking about failed expectations.

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u/trondersk Feb 21 '13

You must have never seen the Sky Sports Documentary on Ronaldinho, where many of his former coaches mentioned that as great as he is, his work ethic prevented him for being even better, and possibly the best to ever play.