Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino claims Brazilian star Neymar remains “one of the top five players in the world” despite his stuttering start to life with the Catalans.
Neymar is expected to return to Martino’s starting line-up for Barca’s huge La Liga clash away to Real Madrid on Sunday after sitting out last weekend’s 7-0 thrashing of Osasuna as an unused substitute.
And Martino insisted in his press conference ahead of the Madrid match that he had merely handed the striker a well- deserved rest against Osasuna after his exertions in the 2-1 win over Manchester City four days earlier.
“Firstly, I think he played very well against Manchester City in the second leg and, secondly, I will reaffirm what I have said many times that Neymar is one of the top five players in the world.
“I don’t need to see one match, half a match, nor even 10 matches to confirm the qualities that he has. I don’t think it will be long before people stop talking about him like just another player because he isn’t.”
Martino also admitted that his side will travel to the Spanish capital knowing that they have to win to retain their league title having fallen four points behind Real with just 10 games to go.
