​Pedro: Neymar for Brazil Is Like Messi for Argentina; I Hope He Plays at the World Cup

May 9 – Chelsea striker and Brazilian international João Pedro spoke to TNT Sports Brasil in an interview.

Q: Offensively, almost basically, if you have to play with two specific players, maybe Vinicius Jr. and Raphinha – two players who have carried a lot of pressure lately to perform for the national team. How do you find playing with them? Also seeing what they've been through, maybe what everyone could go through during the World Cup?

A: Yes, it's normal. That's football. That's Brazil. We represent millions of people, and it's hard to please everyone. But Vinicius and Raphinha are the best players we have at the moment, and they're fantastic people, easy to get along with. I'm always there to help, and they're there to help me too. We talk a lot, both on and off the pitch, and we always try to organise things well so that we can play our best football.

Q: Brazil heading into this World Cup – I don't know where you place them among the favourites, and you speak to people from different countries. Are we in the top five?

A: Of course. Brazil is respected here. Brazilians are different. They look at us in a different way. They know Brazilians have something different about them. So, we are certainly among the favourites. Even though we haven't won in a while, we might not be the favourite, but we are among them. I don't think Brazil will ever lose that status.

Q: So, in your opinion, what is your list of favourites?

A: I don't know who the number one favourite is, but I'll say who has potential. I think Portugal's momentum is strong. France, Argentina, Spain.

Q: Not England? Won't they get on you in the dressing room?

A: England, maybe. If I didn't say England, I'd go mad.

Q: Does he really want Brazil and England to meet in the quarter-finals?

A: Oh, really?

Q: Has he mentioned that to you already? What did you say?

A: I said, "Be careful, be careful!" There's definitely that banter.

Q: Because, in your dressing room, you have players from those favourite nations. Do you joke around with Enzo too?

A: That one feels a bit more complicated. But the banter still happens. Brazil, Argentina – I tell him, you know. But it's all jokes. Thank God, at Chelsea we have a very good group. Cucurella also likes to joke around.

Q: He does enjoy it. He likes going on holiday to Brazil.

A: Yes, he wants to go to Brazil.

Q: It's funny, isn't it? They have this curiosity.

A: No, his family is there. Oh, right, true. His family is actually there. He already spent about a month there, so he wants to go back. He even says, "No, you can't walk around there."

Q: In the group stage, which opponent would you most like to face?

A: Morocco. I think that Morocco game was as tough as we expected. In the knockout stages, there are a few opponents. England, because I know so many people there – that would be fun. The rest we'll just let happen.

Q: How's Estevão doing, João?

A: Estevão – I've said in other interviews – he's a boy who impresses me. Of course, he and I are very different people, but when I came through, I didn't have that awareness. I would say, "Oh, this boy already has his head sorted, doesn't need this or that." So I am impressed by his mentality at such a young age, and by the amazing family he has. Andrey and I try to help him. We know that, unfortunately, right now is a difficult period for him, but we always try to be there. Not just me and Andrey, but also Enzo, Pedro Neto, Cucurella – I think everyone at Chelsea treats Estevão like a little brother. Enzo shares a different language with him, but he jokes around with him. So we try to give him all our support, because we know how important he is for Chelsea and for the Brazilian national team.

Q: Do you speak with him now? Since he's so young, going through this difficult period?

A: Yes, we're talking about dreams. On the day he got injured, I was in the dressing room with him. I sat next to him for the entire first half, just talking. It's complicated. On a matchday, 30 minutes before, he was fine, then suddenly... We try to help, but I think his family is also by his side. Now, it's about staying calm and hoping everything works out.

Q: Neymar – I think this is the biggest debate before this World Cup squad is announced. Your opinion? Should Neymar go? Should Neymar not go?

A: Neymar is Neymar. For Brazil, he is like Messi is for Argentina. Neymar is my idol. I haven't had the chance to play with him yet. I've met him once, at Vinicius's party. I think Neymar is the idol of almost everyone in the national team right now. I hope he can play in the World Cup. I hope I can be there with him. That would be an immense honour. I wish him good health, and I hope to see him at the World Cup.

Source: YouTube