THE most expensive player on the planet has tipped Celtic new boy Timothy Weah to become one of the greatest strikers in the European game.
Paris Saint-Germain mega-star Neymar gave Weah the ringing personal endorsement following the 18-year-old’s move from the French giants to Glasgow on a six month loan deal.
And Brazil’s pin-up boy - who shattered the record books when he joined PSG from Barcelona in a £200m deal 18 months ago - believes his young prodigy has picked the perfect place to sharpen his shooting boots as Scotland’s champions chase down an eighth successive domestic title and a place in the last 16 of the Europa League.
Neymar told Record Sport: “It is a very exciting move for him from what I have seen of his talent he has everything to go and be one of the top attacking players in Europe.
“It is a good move for him, a good move for Celtic as they are getting such a big talent, and also a good move for PSG because he has a chance to get experience and games and come back to us a more complete player.
“He did have options - but he chose the right one. Celtic are a big club, in their league they attack a lot and score a lot of goals, and also they are still in Europe - so they offer him much.”
Weah has been waiting patiently for first-team football at PSG behind a regular front there of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.
But Neymar believes the youngster - son of former AC Milan great George - is also smart enough to learn from the best.
He added: “He has the talent - we know that but also he has a great attitude. From the first day I have met him he has wanted to learn off the players who have already won the major trophies, from the players who have already achieved big things in the game.
“He is a fun guy to be around - but also he is very humble and that is what you want to see from a young player. It’s what a coach wants to see because it means they want to learn.
“His father is one of the greatest strikers there has been - but he doesn’t feel the pressure of having the name and I respect that. He just has confidence in his own ability and in his own game and that was how I was at his age.”
Mecacou
2
Neymar thanks so much for helping him to lead.
Sibcdpryz
1
Good one jnr, but the father is a bad man, how can you be a president of a country and your son plays for another country, Africa with bad luck
dauelmnsz
0
future of usmnt looks bright
whykallar
5
Great encouragement from Neymar, to me it was really great sending this kid on loan then to keep him on the bench, he's still young, likewise allowing him to go on loan, will enable him work hard and get playing time to improve his skill, T. Weah just work hard and focus, better days still ahead.
luoabdkyz
2
Thumbs up Neymar. A good leader raises others
luoabdkyz
3
A good leader is the one who raises others. Thumps up
Vezonic22
6
Thank you Neymar; such words of encouragement is highly appreciated and will motivate Tim to play and perform better. That young man will shine....
lingesh
7
The humanitarian
VanishPrasad
6
Good job by Neymar for that encouragement