Birthday boy Ronaldinho hopes Neymar will be fit for World Cup

Bengaluru, March 21: As birthday wishes poured in for Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, who turned 38 on Tuesday (March 21), he hopes injured Neymar will be fit in time for the World Cup in June.

Happy birthday 🎂
Ronaldinho Gaucho pic.twitter.com/AYT0lpqzID

— MSN47 -soccer only- (@MSN475) March 21, 2018

The winner of the two #FIFAWorld Player of the Year awards and a #BallondOr, #Ronaldinho is still known for his technical skills and creativity. DSport wishes the former Brazilian footballer a very #HappyBirthday. pic.twitter.com/quvhA6GcXt

— DSport (@DSportINLive) March 21, 2018

It may be recalled that the PSG stars had suffered a cracked metatarsal, as well as a sprained ankle, during a 3-0 Ligue 1 defeat of rivals Marseille.

Neymar subsequently had a successful surgery, but his recovery is taking time which puts him in serious doubt for the FIFA quadrennial extravaganza beginning on June 14.

However, Ronaldinho, who was part of the Brazil's World Cup-winning squad in 2002, believes Neymar could still make it for Russia and lead the Selecaos from the front.

"Injuries are never welcome, but I think that in this case it'll be good because it'll give him (Neymar) time to prepare well to reach the World Cup in great condition," Ronaldinho was quoted as saying in MetroUS.

A two-time World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho also felt it was too early talk about the World Cup.

"The life of a player is to live match to match, day by day and I think nobody is thinking yet about the World Cup, they're watching the Champions League, the end of the leagues that're to come, and I think players should think like this," he said.

In a trophy-laden stint, Ronaldinho, played five seasons at Barcelona and is currently an Ambassador for the Catalan giants.

Ronaldinho had assisted Lionel Messi in helping the latter score his first goal with the Catalan club.

Messi is the talisman for Barcelona since Ronaldinho left the Camp Nou in 2008 and some of the Argentinian's goals have evoked memories of the Brazilian.

While refusing to be drawn into the comparisons, Ronaldinho praised Messi and said too much should not be made out of Messi's failure to win a major tournament for Argentina.

"He is in one of the best national teams in the world, if you look at them individually they are all great players.

"Team wise things have not done so well, but if you look at the individual quality of each player, it is one of the best teams in the world. But you've to respect them and Messi is going to be the best again."

(With Agency inputs).