Brazilian legend Pele is looking forward to a star-studded
Copa America tournament this summer – but has challenged Barcelona stars Lionel
Messi and Neymar to reproduce their best club form at international level, AFP
reports.
The three-time World Cup winner said the June 11-July 4
tournament in Chile promised to be a “Copa of Stars” with Messi and Neymar
being
joined by the likes of in-form Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
“These days the individual players are better known than the
teams,” Pele said during a visit to a homeless encampment. “It’s going to be a
‘Copa of Stars’, no doubt.”
However Pele questioned whether Argentina captain Messi and Brazilian
talisman Neymar would be able to hit the heights of their best club form.
Despite leading Argentina to the World Cup final last year,
Messi is often accused of failing to sparkle in the famous jersey of the
‘Albiceleste’. Pele also questioned whether the 27-year-old would be on top
form in Chile.
“When he’s in Spain, with Barcelona, with a team he already
knows and knows well, he’s a player,” Pele said.
“But Messi when he’s with the Argentinian team is not the
same thing,” the 74-year-old icon said.
“It’s a different way of playing — the Argentinian team is
not organised the same way. The same thing happens with Neymar and Brazil.”
Pele meanwhile shied away from picking a winner for the
tournament, saying only that Argentina and hosts Chile would start among the
favorites.
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