Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Neymar has heaped praise on Marco Verratti following the Italian's stellar display in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Real Madrid.
The Brazilian went as far as to claim that Verratti is one of the best midfielders he has shared a pitch with, alongside Barcelona legends Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
Verratti was in his element in the first leg of the last-16 tie against Real Madrid, dominating the midfield against the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro. He completed 92% of his passes and will look to produce a similar performance when the two sides meet next.
After the match, Neymar was full of praise for his 29-year-old teammate, saying he did not realize that he was 'so spectacular' a player.
"I knew Verratti was an excellent player, but I didn't realize he was so spectacular. He's a genius. He's one of the best midfielders I've played with, along with Xavi Hernandez and Iniesta," Neymar said after the match.
PSG won the encounter at the Parc des Princes 1-0 thanks to an injury-time goal from Kylian Mbappe. The two sides will next face off on March 9 in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"Verratti would have been man of the match without Mbappe" - Fabio Capello on the PSG midfielder's performance against Real Madrid
Former England coach Fabio Capello also praised Marco Verratti for his display against Real Madrid. He pointed out that the midfielder would have been the man of the match if not for Kylian Mbappe's heroics in the dying minutes of the encounter.
“Verratti would have been the man of the match without Mbappé, who was the absolute MVP. Verratti played a great game, dominating in midfield,” Capello told Sky Sports Italia.
Another highlight of the encounter was Lionel Messi's inability to convert from the spot. Capello believes that the Argentine "is sad" at PSG after being forced to leave Barcelona for free in the 2021 summer transfer window. He said:
vimiklmnpy
0
true verratti is a great player
shameemmmnv
0
Hell no veratti run whole midfield against modric,Casimero and Kroos just like kante did last season against Madrid And here we have greatest midfielders of all time Xavi and inesta who run midfield against Zidane,David beckham,gerrard muller,Paul scholes so on u can name on it,,,it’s a big difference brother very big,,,
no big defference. even madrid mid caze,modric,kroos better than xavi,iniesta,busquets. italian midfielder more inteligent than spanish midfielder
Riaadeim
0
totaly false even modric betterthan xavi and modric. veratti also betterthan xavi and iniesta whatch veratti match and you know
Hell no veratti run whole midfield against modric,Casimero and Kroos just like kante did last season against Madrid And here we have greatest midfielders of all time Xavi and inesta who run midfield against Zidane,David beckham,gerrard muller,Paul scholes so on u can name on it,,,it’s a big difference brother very big,,,
shameemmmnv
0
I don’t agree there is no player in the world.who can compare to greatest midfielders of all time Xavi and inesta.but I can tell he is better than combination of modric,Casimero and Kroos.he literally run midfield against Madrid,,,
totaly false even modric betterthan xavi and modric. veratti also betterthan xavi and iniesta whatch veratti match and you know
Joyaklsyz
0
Ur right there is Xavi and inesta above Xavi and inesta the greatest midfielders of all time,,,
😀😀😀
TheOneAndOnlyJ
0
you're just a negative hater cuz you didn't even read what he said. he didn't say they were the greatest midfielders. he said greatest "trio" meaning collectively. Read and stop spreading negativity
My your own damn business battyman
hupeklmpy
1
VERRATTI=HERRERA+PAREDES
Fezbkopsy
2
100% agreed this year Verratti is a Beast 💪 💪 💪 look out World Cup when Italy 🇮🇹 qualify they would be strong contenders, I really hope Spinazzola recovers in time because he was amazing to look at
Titcdeknpt
0
you will get dumped out of UCL on March the 10th you mean 👎👎
In your dreams
Riaadeim
0
I don’t agree there is no player in the world.who can compare to greatest midfielders of all time Xavi and inesta.but I can tell he is better than combination of modric,Casimero and Kroos.he literally run midfield against Madrid,,,
Patric16599
0
agreed
Riaadeim
0
yes Mr Neymar...he is definitely there with Xavi and Iniesta...but we all know who are above those two...
Ur right there is Xavi and inesta above Xavi and inesta the greatest midfielders of all time,,,
vimdknopu
0
We will win the second leg no doubt hala Madrid ❤️❤️
you will get dumped out of UCL on March the 10th you mean 👎👎
vimdknopu
0
yes Mr Neymar...he is definitely there with Xavi and Iniesta...but we all know who are above those two...
not zidane
fincdinstz
0
thats a lie veratti is no where close to xavi and Iniesta. I don't agree
whitemocha
0
yes Mr Neymar...he is definitely there with Xavi and Iniesta...but we all know who are above those two...
papa perez🤣🤣
whitemocha
0
really Verratti played an outstanding, superb performance
boyikmnu
1
agreed with neymar
boyikmnu
1
agreed
Elijay
1
i agree with neymar
BLACOLOGY342
2
Don't talk,The leopard lurks not to hide but to jump.Let see second Leg😡 Hala madrid
Don’t wake up. Continue the dream and wake up on 10th March and ask of the reality!
BLACOLOGY342
1
yes Mr Neymar...he is definitely there with Xavi and Iniesta...but we all know who are above those two...
Oh yeah . Zidane is the greatest
RedBlood_RedVeins
1
Greatest my ass. I love modric snd i think kroos and casemiro is very good but they are not the best.
you're just a negative hater cuz you didn't even read what he said. he didn't say they were the greatest midfielders. he said greatest "trio" meaning collectively. Read and stop spreading negativity
Titcdeknpt
0
Don't talk,The leopard lurks not to hide but to jump.Let see second Leg😡 Hala madrid
We will win the second leg no doubt hala Madrid ❤️❤️
nouabdelz
1
Messi didn't desereved ballon d,or
Mcashjr
0
Verrati against real madrid..
TheOneAndOnlyJ
0
he certainly is one of the best cm in the world the way he dominated midfield with Paredes and Danilo is itself impressive that too he did against probably the greatest and iconic trio of Modric Kroos and casemero that's hella impressive job
Greatest my ass. I love modric snd i think kroos and casemiro is very good but they are not the best.
Joyaklsyz
2
yes Mr Neymar...he is definitely there with Xavi and Iniesta...but we all know who are above those two...
Lohit14
0
he certainly is one of the best cm in the world the way he dominated midfield with Paredes and Danilo is itself impressive that too he did against probably the greatest and iconic trio of Modric Kroos and casemero that's hella impressive job
Kimabeiny
1
Don't talk,The leopard lurks not to hide but to jump.Let see second Leg😡 Hala madrid
Fiyabckz
0
oh... that messi would just shut this critics
Hamz_yy
5
Messi didn’t complete one dribble!!!!!!!!! This man don’t own a tv