Could Neymar And Cristiano Ronaldo Play In The Same Team At Real Madrid?

Could Neymar And Cristiano Ronaldo Play In The Same Team At Real Madrid?
10:16, 17 May 2018

Almost as soon as Neymar put pen to paper on the world record deal taking him to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona last summer, there was a suggestion that it could one day lead to an even bigger transfer. Some struggled to explain why the Brazilian would make such a move at such a time, but others joined the dots.

Indeed, many predicted that Neymar’s switch to PSG would eventually lead to speculation linking him with Real Madrid and this prophecy has come to fruition, with the the 26-year-old reportedly a target for the Spanish side. For weeks, conjecture has swirled and it threatens to become the summer’s defining saga in the European game.

From Real Madrid’s point of view, it’s easy to see why a swoop for Neymar would appeal. While Zinedine Zidane has led his team to a third successive Champions League final this season, they are on the brink of a generational transition as a side. They need a big name signing this summer and they don’t come much bigger than Neymar, which would aim a jab at rivals Barcelona in the process.

At the Santiago Bernabeu, Neymar would stand a better chance of reaching the top of the European game than he does at PSG, as demonstrated by the two teams’ contrasting fortunes in the Champions League this season. But would Neymar really be capable of co-existing in the same team, in the same dressing room, as Cristiano Ronaldo?

The Brazilian hasn’t exactly been a wallflower since arriving at PSG. He has fallen out with teammates, demanded signings, taken liberties and reportedly contributed to the departure of manager Unai Emery. What Neymar says goes at the Parc des Princes. He wouldn’t command this sort of influence at Real Madrid, though. Especially while Ronaldo is still there.

This could be a dangerous scenario for Real Madrid. At Barcelona, Neymar thrived alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, but his primary motivation in leaving the Camp Nou was to step out into a spotlight of his own. By joining Real, the Brazilian would be stepping back under the shadow of a legend, this time in Ronaldo. Would he be prepared to do that?

Tactically, Neymar and Ronaldo could certainly play in the same team. In fact, they would be perfect for each other, with the Portuguese in need of someone to provide him with service from a wide area. That’s what Neymar would do. But building a team comes down to more than just tactics and Real Madrid must be wary of that before pairing Neymar with Ronaldo. 

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