Soccer
I'm no Pele - Neymar
2011-12-09 08:44
Toyota - Star Brazilian striker Neymar said on Friday that he would never be better than Pele and insisted he was not interested in impressing his many European suitors at the Club World Cup.
The much-coveted Santos player, 19, has been touted as one of the planet's finest prospects and linked with a host of top European clubs, with Spanish giants Real Madrid understood to be leading the charge for his signature.
But he signed a two-year contract extension last month with the Copa Libertadores winners and told a press conference in Japan ahead of his side's opening Club World Cup appearance that comparisons with legend Pele were wrong.
"He's the one and only, he's the king of football," said Neymar, sporting his trademark blond bouffant hairdo.
"To reach his level is something I don't think I can do."
His Santos side - where famed Brazilian Pele also starred - will play either Kashiwa Reysol of Japan or Mexico's Monterrey on Wednesday, with a place in the final - most likely against Barcelona - up for grabs.
"For me, I'm not trying to prove anything here," the international said, attempting to bat away persistent questions about his future.
"I'm here to contribute to the team and win the title," he added, singling out Barca wizard Lionel Messi as the best player in the world.