Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon has expressed that Brazilian forward Neymar Jr. should have secured five Ballon d’Or awards, highlighting his exceptional talent and character. In a recent interview with Corriere della Sera, Buffon reflected on the most formidable opponents he faced during his illustrious career, stating:
“I played against three generations: Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, Cristiano, Iniesta… Choose one? Neymar. For the player he is and the person he is, he should have won five Ballon d’Ors.”
Neymar, currently playing for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, has had a storied career with stints at Santos, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain. During his tenure at Barcelona, he formed the formidable “MSN” attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, contributing to the club’s treble-winning season in 2014-2015.
Despite his individual brilliance and numerous team accolades, Neymar has yet to claim the prestigious Ballon d’Or, an award dominated by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the past decade. Buffon’s remarks underscore the sentiment that Neymar’s contributions to football have been underappreciated in terms of individual honors.
Buffon, who retired in 2024 after a 27-year career, faced Neymar on multiple occasions, including during his time at Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. His admiration for Neymar’s skill and sportsmanship reflects the high regard in which the Brazilian is held by his peer.
