In an interview with ESPN Brasil, Fernando shared his views on two football stars, noting that Neymar made a strong impression on him.
“The player who surprised me the most, without a doubt, was Neymar,” he stated.
“When I was studying him before playing against Barcelona, I thought: ‘He seems small, I can easily go through him.’ But honestly, his speed was incredible.”
“His ability to change direction is amazing. For me, he was the most talented one, the one who caught me off guard the most.”
Former Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano later asked Fernando about Messi. He responded: “With Messi, you have certain expectations. But Neymar, in terms of ball control, moving in and out, I’ve never seen anyone quite like him. He can go in either direction; it’s unpredictable and completely unique.”
These remarks highlight how Neymar’s playing style presents a distinct challenge, even for those who frequently face top players. His unpredictability makes him stand out.
Fernando’s record against Neymar and Messi shows the difference
According to Transfermarkt, Fernando faced Neymar just twice in his career, both times in the Champions League while playing for Manchester City.
The results were balanced: his team won once and lost once against Neymar’s Barcelona.
In contrast, Fernando has faced Messi nine times, mostly during his time at Sevilla.
The outcomes were less favorable, with Fernando losing five matches, drawing two, and winning only two. This reflects the challenge of managing Messi over more games.