The rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has defined football for nearly two decades but Neymar’s emergence at Barcelona once promised a shift in that balance.
The Brazilian, who arrived from Santos in 2013 was seen as a heir to the throne.
No one can forget his partnership with Messi and Luis Suarez, which became one of the most feared attacking trios in football history.
His peak at the Catalan club came in the 2014/15 season when Barcelona won the Champions League and Neymar scored ten goals in the tournament matching the tallies of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who also scored ten each.
So much so that a former Barcelona star has now shared his thoughts on that unforgettable period.
Former Barcelona star has made bold Neymar verdict in Messi claim
Former Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcantara who has made 90 appearances for the Catalan side during his six seasons at the club has now revisited that golden year.
“I enjoyed watching Neymar more than Messi. Neymar was the best player at Barcelona when we won the Champions League in 2015,” Rafinha said [via The Touchline]
🚨🗣️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Rafinha: "I enjoyed watching Neymar more than Messi. Neymar was the best player at Barcelona when we won the Champions League in 2015."
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 11, 2025
"Messi is the best in history, but during training I saw Neymar do things that nobody else did, not even Messi." pic.twitter.com/vHGUPAWnOv
Alcantara who had 12 goals and eight assists for Catalan side further said while Messi is the best but he loved seeing Neymar in training.
“Messi is the best in history, but during training I saw Neymar do things that nobody else did, not even Messi.”