ROBERTO CARLOS has claimed Neymar will not win the Ballon d’Or until Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo fall from grace.
The Brazil and Real Madrid legend, 44, believes the 26-year-old Paris Saint-Germain superstar had to leave Barcelona to continue his development.
But with Messi, 30, and Ronaldo, 33, hogging the award for the last DECADE, with five wins apiece, he insisted Neymar will have to wait for his turn.
Carlos told France Football: “I think he did well to sign at PSG.
“To be the best in the world he had to leave Barca because there is Messi.
“Even if he must be aware that, as long as Messi and Cristiano are in form, he will have to settle for third place.
“His injury is something we must accept. In Brazil, we are very religious and we think that this kind of accident does not happen by chance.
“From now on, I think Neymar will focus more on his job.”
ANGEL GABRIEL Germany 0 Brazil 1: Gabriel Jesus with only goal of game as Samba Boys impress in Berlin
Neymar missed Brazil’s 1-0 friendly win over Germany as he continues his recovery from a fractured foot.
Gabriel Jesus scored the winner in a game billed as the first step to recovering from the devastating 7-1 defeat on home soil in the last World Cup.
And Carlos believes the “humble” Manchester City man is the perfect foil for headline-grabbing Neymar.
He said: “As our focal point is Neymar, Gabriel Jesus will be the one who helps.
“He’s going to play for Neymar, in front of him or sometimes behind him, whatever, but I know he’s going to serve the star of the team.
“Because he is smart and very good. With these two, you will see what you will see!
“Gabriel Jesus will be for Neymar what Benzema is to Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid. He has the same approach as Karim, the same humility. ”
Carlos has been keeping a close eye on the Samba Stars’ preparations for Russia.
And he believes Tite has added the defensive nous needed to compete – going as far as to compare them to the legendary 1982 side which included Socrates and Zico.
The rampaging full-back explained: “They can put on a show while caring about the balance between attack and defence.
“The coach insists a lot on defensive safety, and I feel that the group is better organised than four years ago.
“I even think that it can be compared, on paper, to that of 1982, which is a big compliment. ”
