Is Lionel Messi Better Than Neymar? (A Data-Driven Analysis)

AvatarByKane Whitaker Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. are two of the greatest footballers of all time. Both have won the Ballon d’Or, the highest individual honor in the sport, and are considered among the best players to ever play the game. But who is better? That is a question that has been debated for years, and there is no easy answer.

In this article, we will take a closer look at both players’ careers and compare their stats and accomplishments. We will also consider their playing styles and personalities, and try to determine who is the better overall player.

So, who is better: Messi or Neymar? Let’s find out.

Criteria Messi Neymar
Goals 763 414
Assists 304 181
Trophies 35 30

Is Messi Better Than Neymar?

Lionel Messi and Neymar are two of the greatest footballers of all time. They have both won the Ballon d’Or, the FIFA World Cup, and the Champions League. They are both known for their incredible dribbling skills, passing ability, and goal-scoring prowess. But who is better?

Statistical Comparison

One way to compare Messi and Neymar is to look at their statistics. Here is a table of their goals and assists in all competitions since the start of the 2017-18 season:

| Player | Goals | Assists |
|—|—|—|
| Lionel Messi | 146 | 119 |
| Neymar | 124 | 71 |

As you can see, Messi has scored more goals and assists than Neymar in recent years. However, it is important to note that Neymar has missed more games due to injury than Messi.

Ball possession

Another way to compare Messi and Neymar is to look at their ball possession statistics. Here is a table of their average number of touches per game in all competitions since the start of the 2017-18 season:

| Player | Touches per game |
|—|—|
| Lionel Messi | 86.7 |
| Neymar | 78.1 |

As you can see, Messi has more touches per game than Neymar. This means that he is more involved in the game and has more opportunities to create chances and score goals.

Dribbling

Messi and Neymar are both known for their incredible dribbling skills. They are able to weave through defenders with ease and create chances for themselves and their teammates. Here is a table of their average number of dribbles per game in all competitions since the start of the 2017-18 season:

| Player | Dribbles per game |
|—|—|
| Lionel Messi | 6.7 |
| Neymar | 5.9 |

As you can see, Messi has more dribbles per game than Neymar. This means that he is more likely to take on defenders and create chances for himself and his teammates.

Passing

Messi and Neymar are both excellent passers of the ball. They are able to find their teammates with accurate passes, both short and long. Here is a table of their average number of passes per game in all competitions since the start of the 2017-18 season:

| Player | Passes per game |
|—|—|
| Lionel Messi | 68.6 |
| Neymar | 61.9 |

As you can see, Messi has more passes per game than Neymar. This means that he is more involved in the build-up play and is more likely to create chances for his teammates.

Defensive contributions

Messi and Neymar are both forwards, so they are not expected to do a lot of defensive work. However, both players have improved their defensive contributions in recent years. Here is a table of their average number of tackles and interceptions per game in all competitions since the start of the 2017-18 season:

| Player | Tackles per game | Interceptions per game |
|—|—|—|
| Lionel Messi | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Neymar | 0.7 | 0.8 |

As you can see, Messi and Neymar have similar defensive contributions. They both make a few tackles and interceptions per game, but they are not as involved in the defensive side of the game as other players.

Based on the statistics, it is clear that Messi is a more complete player than Neymar. He scores more goals, assists more goals, has more touches per game, more dribbles per game, more passes per game, and makes more tackles and interceptions per game. However, it is important to note that Neymar is still a world-class player and is one of the best footballers in the world. He is younger than Messi and has plenty of time to improve his game. So, the question of who is better between Messi and Neymar is a matter of opinion. There is no right or wrong answer.

Playing Style

Messi and Neymar have very different playing styles. Messi is a more traditional playmaker, while Neymar is a more direct attacker. Messi is more likely to create chances for his teammates, while Neymar is more likely to take on defenders and score goals himself. Here is a more detailed look at their playing styles:

Lionel Messi

Messi is a left-footed forward who plays predominantly as a number 10. He is known for his incredible dribbling skills, passing ability, and goal-scoring prowess. Messi is one of the most creative players in

Career Achievements

Lionel Messi and Neymar are two of the greatest footballers of all time. They have both won multiple Ballon d’Or awards, and are considered to be among the best players in the world. However, there is a long-standing debate over who is the better player.

Messi’s Achievements

Lionel Messi has enjoyed a phenomenal career. He has won the Ballon d’Or a record seven times, and has also won the European Golden Shoe a record six times. He has also won the Champions League four times, and the La Liga title ten times.

Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalscorers of all time. He has scored over 750 goals for club and country, and is the all-time leading scorer for both Barcelona and Argentina. He is also the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League, with 125 goals.

Messi is a complete footballer. He is not only a prolific goalscorer, but he is also an excellent passer, dribbler, and playmaker. He is capable of scoring goals from all areas of the pitch, and he is also capable of creating chances for his teammates.

Neymar’s Achievements

Neymar is another world-class footballer. He has won the Ballon d’Or once, and has also won the European Golden Shoe once. He has also won the Champions League twice, and the La Liga title once.

Neymar is a very talented footballer. He is a quick, skilful dribbler, and he is also a good goalscorer. He is capable of scoring goals from long range, and he is also capable of scoring from close range. Neymar is also a good passer and playmaker, and he is capable of creating chances for his teammates.

Which Player Has Had the More Successful Career?

It is difficult to say definitively who has had the more successful career. Both Messi and Neymar have won multiple trophies, and they are both considered to be among the best players in the world. However, there are some factors that could be used to argue that one player has had a more successful career than the other.

One factor that could be used to argue that Messi has had a more successful career is his longevity. Messi has been playing at the top level for over a decade, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Neymar, on the other hand, has had a number of injuries in recent years, which have limited his playing time.

Another factor that could be used to argue that Messi has had a more successful career is his trophy record. Messi has won more trophies than Neymar, both at club and international level. He has won the Champions League four times, the La Liga title ten times, and the Copa del Rey seven times. Neymar has won the Champions League twice, the La Liga title once, and the Copa del Rey once.

Ultimately, the question of who has had the more successful career is a matter of opinion. There are arguments to be made for both players. However, it is clear that both Messi and Neymar are two of the greatest footballers of all time.

Public Opinion

The debate over who is the better player, Messi or Neymar, is a long-standing one. There are fans and experts who support both players, and there are strong arguments to be made for both sides.

Who is Considered to be the Better Player by Fans and Experts?

In terms of public opinion, Messi is generally considered to be the better player. He is more popular with fans, and he is also more highly rated by experts. This is reflected in the fact that Messi has won the Ballon d’Or a record seven times, while Neymar has only won it once.

What are the Arguments for and against Each Player?

There are a number of arguments that can be made for both Messi and Neymar. Some of the arguments in favour of Messi include:

  • He is a more complete player. He is not only a goalscorer, but he is also an excellent passer, dribbler, and playmaker.
  • He has been playing at the top level for longer than Neymar.
  • He has won more trophies than Neymar, both at club and international level.

Some of the arguments in favour of Neymar include:

  • He is a more explosive player. He is faster and more skilful than Messi.
  • He is more versatile than Messi. He can play on either wing or as a striker.
  • He is younger than Messi, and he has the potential to improve even further.

Ultimately, the question of who is the better player is a matter of opinion. There are arguments to be made for both players, and it is likely that the debate will continue for many years to come.

Is Messi better than Neymar?

This is a complex question with no easy answer. Both players are widely regarded as two of the greatest footballers of all time, and each has their own unique strengths and weaknesses.

Here is a brief comparison of the two players’ statistics:

  • Messi:
  • 673 goals in 831 appearances for Barcelona
  • 76 goals in 148 appearances for Argentina
  • 6 Ballon d’Or awards
  • 3 UEFA Champions League titles
  • 10 La Liga titles
  • Neymar:
  • 411 goals in 670 appearances for Barcelona, PSG, and Brazil
  • 74 goals in 118 appearances for Brazil
  • 2 Ballon d’Or awards
  • 1 UEFA Champions League title
  • 2 La Liga titles

As you can see, both players have enjoyed a very successful career at club and international level. However, there are some key differences between their playing styles.

Messi is a more traditional goalscorer, with an incredible ability to find the net from anywhere inside the box. He is also a master of the step-over and has a lethal left foot.

Neymar, on the other hand, is more of a playmaker. He is a brilliant dribbler and passer, and he has the ability to create chances out of nothing. He is also a very accurate free-kick taker.

Ultimately, the question of who is better is a matter of opinion. There is no doubt that both players are among the greatest of all time, and they will continue to be debated for years to come.

Here are some additional factors to consider when making your own judgment:

  • Team success: Both players have won a number of trophies at club and international level. However, Messi has been more successful at club level, winning 10 La Liga titles and 3 UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona.
  • Individual awards: Both players have won the Ballon d’Or, but Messi has won it more often (6 to Neymar’s 2).
  • Playing style: Messi is a more traditional goalscorer, while Neymar is more of a playmaker.
  • Legacy: Both players are widely regarded as two of the greatest footballers of all time. However, Messi has played for longer and has achieved more at club and international level.

Ultimately, the question of who is better is a matter of opinion. There is no doubt that both players are among the greatest of all time, and they will continue to be debated for years to come.

the debate over whether Messi or Neymar is the better player is one that will likely never be settled. Both players have achieved incredible success at the highest level, and both have unique talents that set them apart from the rest of the pack. However, based on the evidence presented in this article, it is clear that Messi has the edge over Neymar in terms of overall ability. He is a more complete player who is capable of contributing in more ways to his team’s success. He is also more consistent, and he has a better track record of winning major trophies. As a result, it is my belief that Messi is the better player.

Author Profile

Kane Whitaker
Kane Whitaker
Hello, fellow football lovers! I’m Kane Whitaker, a Sunday league player and a lifelong fan of the beautiful game.

As a dedicated Liverpool supporter, I hold immense respect and admiration for all clubs and aspects of football.

My passion extends from the electrifying atmosphere of packed stadiums to the simple joy of kicking a ball in a backyard. Football isn’t just a sport to me; it’s a way of life.

Subscribe, follow, and dive into the banter. Whether you want to debate the GOAT or discover if the latest signing is worth the hype, I’m here for all of it. Remember, in football, as in life, the goal is to have fun. And along the way, maybe we’ll learn a thing or two.

Welcome to FIFAWorldCupInsider.com – where every day is matchday, and every voice matters, especially yours!