Who will be heir to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi? Brazil's Kaka picks surprising choice

Legendary Brazilian footballer Kaka has named the player fit as heir to iconic forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The former Real Madrid star also revealed his favourites for the Qatar World Cup 2022.

2 Min read

Published : Nov 11 2022, 05:11 PM IST

Share this Photo Gallery

FB
TW
Linkdin
Whatsapp
Follow Us

Image Credit: Getty Images

The Qatar World Cup 2022 is most likely to be the last time football fans worldwide will see the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi perform in the showpiece tournament. Although the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star has confirmed that the upcoming event in the Gulf nation would be his last outing, the Manchester United icon has yet to reveal his plans.

Also read: Qatar World Cup 2022: Ronaldo vs Messi - Stats that prove which legend dominates world stage

Image Credit: Getty Images

While all eyes will be on both the legends in the World Cup, football enthusiasts will also keep a close eye on other stars who could be heirs to the Ronaldo and Messi legacy. The Qatar edition of the coveted event will witness several sensational youngsters in action, like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Bukayo Saka, etc. However, when great Brazilian footballer Kaka was asked who would be the successor to the two superstars, his pick surprised many.

Image Credit: Getty Images

With Ronaldo and Messi nearing the fag end of their illustrious careers, former Real Madrid legend Kaka believes that it would be his compatriot Neymar's turn to leave his mark on the sport. "I would like Neymar to be anointed as their (Ronaldo and Messi) heir, this time around, considering his talent and the person and player he has become," Kaka told Italian media outlet La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

Also read: Qatar World Cup 2022: Alves becomes oldest Brazilian WC star, players react to selections

Image Credit: Getty Images

Neymar is in excellent form, as seen by his 15 goals and 12 assists through 19 games. The PSG star will be the front-runner for the upcoming Ballon d'Or award if he helps Brazil win the World Cup and continues to shine for the Parisian club. Aged 30 years, the former Barcelona icon knows it is now or never. Kaka indicated that his country is the front-runner to win the upcoming World Cup tournament, naming the other leading contenders.

Image Credit: Getty Images

"Brazil are the favorites because they have been working on it for a long time. It was right to appoint Tite, and the group has the right mix of youth and experience. The other main contenders are Argentina and France, while Serbia could be a surprise," Kaka concluded.

Also read: Argentina predicted to lift Qatar World Cup 2022; here's how many goals Messi could score

About the Author

Sunita Iyer

A journalist by trade, a wanderer by heart, and a die-hard Gooner by soul. A journalist and content wizard with 20 years of scribbling across newsrooms like DNA, CNBC TV18, Times Now, and even the political corridors with BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar, she’s covered everything from geopolitics to goalposts. An unapologetic Arsenal fan, Sunita is your go-to if you’re looking for wisdom, wit, or just someone to argue why Thierry Henry is the GOAT. First love? Test cricket. Forever love? The art of travel, music that stirs the soul, and books that open new worlds. Her mantra? Nothing is impossible; everything is IM-possible. Read More...