Okocha: My character was closest to that of Neymar

• He says Neymar has what it takes to attain Messi and Cristiano
• “He plays with joy, though not only to perform a fans,” he adds
• At present, he sees no African players who could make a shortlist

The Nigerian Jay Jay Okocha is arguably one of a many gifted African footballers of all time. Blessed with high footwork and a mesmerising dribble, he was one of a golden era of Nigeria players and a post of a Súper Águilas side that won bullion during a 1996 Atlanta Olympics and graced 3 unbroken FIFA World Cups™ between 1994 and 2002.  

Eminently competent to cruise a best players in a complicated game, Okocha chatted to FIFA.com about this year’s The Best Awards, what it takes to strech that turn and his favourites to win a men’s endowment on 23 Oct in London.

You were one of those players who managed to daunt on a representation while always ostensible to suffer yourself. Are those qualities sufficient to be crowned The Best?
Jay Jay Okocha: Anyone determined to be a best, or one of a best, needs some-more than that. You also need to be means to focus, work hard, and be consistent, as healthy talent alone is not adequate to rouse we to that level. If we know that, and we have a tender talent, afterwards we can contest during that level.

Is there anyone currently who resembles we as a player?
I’d contend a actor whose character many resembles cave would be Neymar. That’s since we played with a clarity of fun and we can see that he feels a same and unequivocally enjoys his possess play. He doesn’t play for himself or only to perform a fans – he plays for his team. He uses his peculiarity and ability for a good of a team.

Okocha during FIFA Tournaments
Games: 38
Goals: 6
World Cups: 3 (USA 1994, France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002)
FIFA Confederations Cup: 1 (Saudi Arabia 1995)
Olympic Football Tournament: 1 (Atlanta 1996, bullion award winner)

Do we see him as a destiny inheritor to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?
Yes, we cruise he will be a one to do it. Messi and Ronaldo have dominated universe football for a decade and, given a inlet of football, during a certain indicate a rod will have to pass to someone else. we cruise Neymar has a good possibility of stuffing that role.

Ronaldo and Messi have a common a excellence over a final decade, though do we foster one over a other?
I have to be tactful here, generally as I’ve a lot of Portuguese friends, though we tend to gaunt towards Messi. He’s a some-more healthy talent. Ronaldo is a illusory player, one of a best I’ve ever seen, though he’s been a bit hapless to be of a same era as Messi. Consequently, they have to share a limelight.

Can we cruise of an African actor with a possibility of being among a final 3 for The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award?
It’s tough to name one during present. If you’re articulate about a tip tier of players internationally, we don’t cruise ourselves good adequate to contest during that level. We have to change that attitude, and afterwards we’ll be means to furnish a actor of a status of a other tip guys.

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards/news/y=2017/m=7/news=okocha-my-style-was-closest-to-that-of-neymar-2902850.html