Rivalry between Neymar, Cavani healthy for club, says EX-PSG star
SPURRING EACH OTHER Okocha feels the battle for oneupmanship will benefit the club
LONDON: The tension between Paris Saint-germain forwards Neymar and Edinson Cavani is “healthy” and they should be left to sort things out themselves, according to the club’s former star Jay-jay Okocha.
The two squabbled over a penalty during PSG’S 2-0 win over Lyon last weekend, which Cavani missed, and Neymar is since reported to have apologised.
But Okocha believes the two players can help push each other to greater heights and says that when he and Ronaldinho were on free-kick duties.
“It’s healthy competition. It’s always good to have more than one who can take free-kicks or penalties,” he told AFP.
“At the end of the day, it happens in almost every team. You just have to negotiate and say: ‘You take the first one, I take the second one.’
It’s all about the team and winning matches. It can be negotiated. Each player has got his best spot, so you know that if it’s in that area, you’re definitely taking it. And if it’s in a neutral area, whoever feels good can take it.”
Ronaldo and Messi have won every major world player award since 2008, but Okocha believes Neymar’s move to Paris will help him in his quest to eclipse them.
“He’s not too far. It’s all about competing, believing in himself and consistency,” said Okocha.
“The other two have refused to give in so to go above them, you have to do more than they are doing, which is a very tough ask.
“He took a bold decision to move, but now he can be his own man and he can show that he has what it takes to be the best.”