He’s no example for anyone: Former Brazilian World Cup winner criticizes Neymar

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :October 22, 2025 at 10:52 PM

Modified at :October 22, 2025 at 10:52 PM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

The 33-year-old continues to deal with recurring injury problems.

When speaking about Neymar, Brazilian legend Emerson Leão didn’t mince words. The Santos attacker was severely chastised by the 1970 World Cup champion, who claimed that his time at the top was over and that he was “no longer a role model for anyone.”

In an interview with CNN Esportes S/A, former goalie and World Cup champion Emerson Leão made news in Brazil by harshly criticising the former FC Barcelona star, who is currently playing for Santos.

1970 World Cup winner labels Neymar as a finished player

Neymar Jr Brazil — BELEM, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 08: Neymar Jr. of Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)

These comments come at a challenging moment for the Brazilian player, who is still dealing with a long list of injuries and criticism for his on-field and off-field conduct.

“One thing depends on the other: the man off the pitch and the man who plays on it. And he’s no example for anyone,” Leão declared, recalling his glory days alongside legends like Pelé and Jairzinho during the 1970 World Cup.

The former coach remembered crossing paths with Neymar when the youngster was just starting out at Santos. “I told him: ‘We’re going to need you for the World Cup, take care of yourself.’ And that’s the only thing he didn’t do,” he said.

Neymar, 33, is still trying to find the form that used to make him one of the world’s top players. However, a never-ending string of ailments has clouded his return to Santos FC, restricting his appearances and casting doubt on his ability to compete in the future.

Neymar now mostly observes from the stands or the training room as the team that helped him rise moves further away from the heyday of the “Menino da Vila,” while Santos fight to avoid relegation.

Moreover, the 33-year-old hasn’t played for the Brazil national football team in two years, since he ruptured his ACL on that agonising night in Montevideo against Uruguay in October 2023.

Who is Emerson Leão?

He is a former Brazilian goalkeeper and a 1970 World Cup winner.

What did he say about Neymar?

He asserted that other players don’t see the player as a role model.

When was the last time the 33-year-old played for the Selecao?

He played for them in 2023.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.