Rivaldo or Neymar? Who was better in their prime? The debate has arisen after an interview with Neymar and Romario, in which he was asked if he would play in the 2002 World Cup-winning Brazil team and who he would play for. “I think I would play instead of Rivaldo,” said the former Barcelona and PSG player.
After the response, Rivaldo posted on Instagram a picture of himself lifting the World Cup and a video with the five goals he scored in the tournament. He accompanied it with the following text.
“I heard Neymar say that at his best he could have played in my place in the 2002 World Cup. Honestly, I recognize his talent and quality, and I even think he could have been in that team, but playing in my place would be another story. With all the respect and admiration I have for him, I can say with 100% certainty that this would not happen. At that time I was so focused, determined and hungry to win the world title that no one, no matter how good they were at the top of their career, could take my place. I say this with a lot of love and respect, but also with the confidence of someone who lived that moment and knows how hard he fought to become world champion.”
Neymar’s response
Neymar responded to Rivaldo’s post by calming things down… but making it clear that he could not remove either Ronaldo or Ronaldinho from that team. “Calm down, friend… all the Brazilian players who competed in the World Cup dedicated themselves and concentrated 100%… some achieved their final goal, others unfortunately did not and that is part of football. I have always respected you and I will never take away from you what you are to Brazilian football… it was just a choice between the three of you and you don’t want me to take away Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, do you?“
Neymar more goals with Brazil; Rivaldo, more titles
The debate between Neymar and Rivaldo, as far as the Brazilian national team is concerned, is in Neymar’s favor if we talk about individual numbers and in Rivaldo’s favor if we talk about titles. Neymar has scored 79 goals in 128 appearances for the Canarinha, compared to 35 goals in 76 matches for Rivaldo.
Neymar, however, has not been able to lift either the World Cup or the Copa America with Brazil (he was unable to play due to injury in the one Brazil won in 2019), while Rivaldo was able to win both titles. Both won the Confederations Cup.