Neymar agent slams 'inferior' Pele

21-Feb-2013 6:25:00 AM

The 21-year-old's representative says the Brazil legend's recent criticism of his client is borne out of jealousy

Neymar's agent says Pele would be an inferior player to the Brazil star if he was playing today, after the three-time World Cup winner criticised his performances for the national side.

It was only a year ago that the 72-year-old suggested the Santos forward was the world's best player, but the mutual respect that once existed between the pair is now seemingly in tatters.

"Pele should look after his grandchildren instead of talking about Neymar, it is jealousy," Ribeiro told Globoesporte.

"If Pele played nowadays, he would be inferior to Neymar. In his time, all the defenders were slow and the fitness levels were not the same."

Earlier in the day O Estado de Sao Paulo had published an interview with Pele in which the national icon had been damning in his criticism of Neymar.

"For the national team, he's just an ordinary player. Every match we have outside the country, he doesn't perform well," Pele said.

"He's got a huge responsibility and his greatest concern is to change his style, change his hair cut."