Lists: Neymar names Chelsea star among five world’s best defenders

Paris Saint-Germain forward, Neymar, has named Chelsea star, Kalidou Koulibaly, among the five best defenders in the world.

Neymar has been destroying defenses throughout his career and has started the new 2022/23 season in fine form.

The Brazilian international has scored nine goals and registered seven assists in eight appearances for PSG this season, and French Ligue 1 defenders have had nightmares trying to deal with the former Barcelona star.

However, Neymar has chosen the five toughest opponents he has come across during his blistering career in an interview with DAZN.

The five defenders Neymar has found most difficult to play against are Koulibaly, Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Manchester City’s Ruben Dias, Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger and Manchester United’s Manchester United – Raphael Varane.

“Playing against Van Dijk is tough because as a centre-back, he’s so strong and intelligent. He knows when it’s the right time to close you down and when to go in for a tackle. That makes it harder. It’s harder to play against intelligent centre-backs. They don’t make mistakes,” Neymar said.

“Ruben Dias is a very good centre-back. He’s quick and strong. He has quality as well, so that makes it hard to play against him.

“The same (as Dias). He [Koulibaly] is quick and very strong.

“I’ve played against Varane many times. He’s a very good centre-back. He’s quick and intelligent. His positioning is very good. He’s a top player. He almost never gets it wrong. That’s why he’s won so much.

“I like Rudiger. He’s a centre-back who strikes fear into you. He’s very strong and big! Some forwards get a bit scared. I don’t, but I think many forwards do get a bit scared!”