Neymar is as good as messi & ronaldo - scolari

The Brazil boss stated he has the
utmost confidence in his young
forward and suggested that failure
at next year's World Cup is not an
option for the hosts
Luiz Felipe Scolari has expressed
his belief that Neymar has already
proved himself to be on a par with
the world’s best players.
The 21-year-old made the move
from Santos to Barcelona this
summer and has began to find his
feet in La Liga, netting four times
in 11 appearances for the
Blaugrana since his arrival.
His record at international level is
more impressive, with the forward
having netted 27 times in 44
appearances for Selecao, and it is
his performances for Scolari’s
side that have led to his coach
singing his praises.
Jose Mourinho recently described
the Barcelona star as "sad" for his
role in Scott Brown's sending off
in the recent Champions League
game with Celtic, prompting the
ex-Chelsea boss to defend his
forward.
“Maybe he [Mourinho] knows that
Neymar is now at the same level
as Cristiano and Messi and can
really hurt his team," Scolari told
The Guardian.
Neymar and his team-mates
showcased their talents at the
weekend, sweeping aside
Honduras 5-0 as they continued
their preparations for the World
Cup as host nation next summer.
Scolari knows that there is a
certain pressure that comes with
the finals being played on home
soil, but the 65-year-old is
confident his side can deliver in
their own back yard.
“The players know they will have
to win the World Cup,” the fomer
Chelsea boss continued.
“If we are not good enough we
will lose but if we work hard, as
we have been doing in the last
months, I can see us challenging
for the title.”
Brazil’s national coach is aware
that there a number of teams
capable of gate-crashing the
carnival in 2014, and that, while
there is one obvious challenger to
the title, a few are capable of
causing a stir in South America.
“As the current European and
world champions, Spain have to
be considered the best in the
world," he said.
“I am also impressed by Germany
and Argentina. It’s an open field
for the World Cup.”
Brazil have already shown they
are capable of beating the best
there is, highlighted by their
dominance in the dress-rehearsal
for 2014, at this year’s
Confederations Cup and their
dismantling of Vicente del
Bosque’s Spain in the final.