Real Madrid's Rodrygo blasts Neymar comparisons

Posted Monday, December 24, 2018 by squawka.com

Santos forward Rodrygo has described comparisons with Neymar as "idiocy" as the 17-year-old prepares for life with Real Madrid.

Rodrygo, who has made 37 appearances for Santos in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, has been hailed as Real Madrid's star of the future already and has drawn comparisons with compatriot Neymar.

Who is Rodrygo? Five things to know…

1. Rodrygo is only 17-years-old, but will be 18 when. he joined Los Blancos next year.
2. The youngster joined Brazilian side Santos in 2011 when he was 10 years old.
3. He made his professional debut for the club at the tender age 16 in a 3–1 home win against Atletico Mineiro.
4. Rodrygo has scored 12 goals in 60 appearances for the Brazilian outfit so far.
5. He joined Madrid for £45m and will be available for the club's summer friendlies net year.

The flattering comparison was rejected by the youngster, however, who seems determined to become his own man, despite Neymar being one of his idols.

"Neymar is Neymar and Rodrygo is Rodrygo," he said, as quoted by AS . "What he does, no one else will do the same.

"People want to compare us and there is no comparison. Neymar is 26 years old and has won everything.

"He won the Copa Libertadores, the Olympic Games, the Champions League. I am in my first year as a professional.

"It is idiocy. He's one of my idols, but we cannot compare."

Rodrygo joined Los Blancos for a fee reportedly worth £45 million on a six-year deal which will begin from June 2019 and will carry through to 2025.

How do Neymar and Rodrygo compare?

Neymar, like Rodrygo, began his career in Brazil with Santos before heading to Barcelona in 2011 to much fanfare and excitement.

Both players share a similar style of play, but the 17-year-old is probably right to play down any comparison with Neymar, as he has an enormous amount to do to fill his idol's shoes.

Neymar has carved out an enormously successful career in European football since leaving his homeland.

During his time with Barcelona he formed a formidable partnership – dubbed MSN by the media – with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who combined to score over 100 goals in three consecutive seasons for the Catalan giants.

Real Madrid's Rodrygo blasts Neymar comparisons

Neymar clinched two La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys, a Champions League and a Club World Cup honour during his time with Barcelona.

MSN was disbanded when the Brazil international headed to Paris Saint-Germain for a world-record fee. His winning ways have not abated after making the record-breaking move; he's won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue since arriving in the French capital. Big shoes indeed.