Neymar hails Flamengo and digs at Palmeiras: “Brazil’s second-best team” | OneFootball

Neymar admitted that Santos are below Flamengo and Palmeiras in comparison

Santos have a huge challenge next Wednesday (02) in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals. After losing the first leg 3-0, Neymar’s team need to win by four goals at Vila Belmiro. Despite the difficult situation against Palmeiras, the forward said the responsibility lies entirely with the “second-best team in Brazil,” clearly implying that Flamengo are the country’s top side.

— Football has comebacks, it has extraordinary matches. Who knows, maybe that can happen on Wednesday? (…) We’re going there to enjoy ourselves. The responsibility will be entirely on the second-best team in Brazil, Palmeiras. The responsibility is theirs, and we’re going to enjoy ourselves on Wednesday at Vila —, he joked.

— Considering what Santos have become, unfortunately we are no longer a powerhouse in Brazilian football. Today, there are two powerhouse teams, and we know who they are (Flamengo and Palmeiras). We are working hard to improve. I think Santos fans should expect a lot of commitment and dedication in every match —, Neymar added.

Neymar made the statement right after a great performance from the number 10 against Corinthians at Neo Química Arena. Santos won 1-0 and moved away from the relegation zone. ‘Ney’ was even involved in the goal, hitting the post from a free kick. On the rebound, Oliva found the net past former Flamengo goalkeeper Hugo Souza.

THE TITLES

In short, the recent achievements of the two teams back up Neymar’s words. After all, Flamengo are the current Brazilian champions and also won the most recent Libertadores. In both competitions, Palmeiras finished as runners-up. In addition, the two clubs have monopolized the race for the main trophies.

This season, Flamengo and Palmeiras are in the Libertadores quarterfinals. In the Brasileirão, Mais Querido are four points behind the São Paulo side, but could cut the gap to one this Wednesday (02). At 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), Rubro-Negro host Mirassol at the Maracanã in a rescheduled match from the fourth round of the Brasileirão.

AUTHOR’S OPINION

— Neymar only told the truth. Santos’ situation has to be exactly this, playing freely against Palmeiras. The responsibility is entirely on the team that won the first match 3-0. Any result other than Abel Ferreira’s team going through will be a huge surprise —, therefore opined Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.