Neymar can surpass Messi, Maradona: Pele

 RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Soccer legend Pele says Brazil sensation Neymar has the ability to be better than Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona.

Speaking at an event in Sao Paulo on Saturday, Pele said Barcelona star Messi and 1986 World Cup winner Maradona shared "similar limitations" .

"Maradona was a great player but he only had a left foot and wasn't a renowned¹ header of the ball," Pele said. "Messi is almost a copy of him. That's why I think Neymar has the capacity to be better."

Pele, widely regarded as the greatest player in history, scored 1,284 goals in a career that spanned from 1956 to 1977.

Neymar, 20, has scored 133 times in three seasons with Santos.

When asked if Neymar could be better than him, Pele replied:

"It's difficult to say but it won't be easy for him. He is an exceptional player but at times he has shown that he is not mature enough yet to take on certain responsibilities."

1 renowned   

adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的

参考例句：

• He is one of the world's renowned writers.他是世界上知名的作家之一。
• She is renowned for her advocacy of human rights.她以提倡人权而闻名。