Pele likens Jesus to Neymar, tips duo for World Cup success

Brazilian football legend Pele has compared the playing styles of his compatriots Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City and Neymar who plays at Barcelona.

The three-time World Cup winner Pele predicted that the City star could lead Brazil to success alongside Neymar in the international scene. And the duo are likely play a huge role in their nation’s World Cup campaign in Russia next year.

“He’s a good player too. The same as Neymar, [but] he’s just started,” Pele told Omnisport, as reported by the Manchester Evening News on Tuesday.

“I think Neymar has a little more experience than him, but both have the same style of game.

“But they are both two forwards that will give Brazil success in the future.”

20-year-old Jesus has impressed since joining the Pep Guardiola’s side in January, and has netted seven goals in only 10 Premier League games – despite missing a huge part of the period with an ankle injury.

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Neymar is also one of the most exciting players to watch with the ball at his feet, and has netted 52 times for the national team.

However, Pele has warned that it requires a team effort for Brazil to emerge victors in Russia.

He said: “Listen, this (whether Neymar will make the difference in Russia) is very difficult to say because today people mention one or two good players, but who won the game and World Cup is the team.

“To win the World Cup, or to win the game it has to be a nice team not just one player.”

Pele won the World Cup with Brazil in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

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