In a surprising endorsement from a Barcelona legend, Neymar has bypassed established stars to label Real Madrid’s Arda Güler the “best midfielder in the world.”
Speaking to Turkish footballer Aycan Yanaç, Neymar lauded the 20-year-old’s recent surge in form under manager Xabi Alonso, stating, “Arda Güler is an amazing player. He has quality. I think he is the best midfielder in the world.”
The high praise comes as Güler enjoys a breakout 2025–26 campaign, tallying nine goal contributions by late November and forming a lethal partnership with Kylian Mbappé, even as he battles Jude Bellingham for a consistent starting role.
Meanwhile, Neymar is currently recovering from his sixth injury in two years—an arthroscopic knee surgery performed in December—as he fights to prove his fitness to Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.