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Only One Footballer Features In TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

Only One Footballer Features In TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

No Cristiano or Lionel on this occasion...

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

TIME magazine revealed its annual '100 Most Influential People in the World' list this afternoon and it included Barcelona superstar Neymar.

Interestingly the magazine snubbed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - the two players who FIFA consider to be better than Neymar.

The Brazil international was listed alongside the President of the United States Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May, despite failing to lead his side to the Champions League semi-finals last night.

And ex-England captain David Beckham wrote a glowing tribute for Neymar in this year's edition, claiming the winger is "well on his way" to becoming the best player in the world.

Beckham said:

"It's been clear ever since he signed for Brazilian team Santos at 17 that Neymar is an outstanding talent, a once-in-a-generation type of footballer who has fans on their feet whenever he gets the ball.

"I suspect the recent Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain, when Neymar helped his team to an unforgettable 6-1 win, will be remembered as the moment he stepped up to take on the mantle of best player in the world."

"Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have a new rival to that claim-and Neymar is ready to make his move."

Image result for beckham neymar
Image result for beckham neymar

Beckham's claims aren't unfounded either, as Neymar has undoubtedly upped his game since featuring for Brazil at the World Cup in 2014.

However, stats imply Neymar might not be ready to challenge Messi and Ronaldo just yet, having scored nine goals and grabbed 10 assists in La Liga this year, compared to 24 goals and 12 assists last season.

New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady, Cleveland Cavaliers' star LeBron James and UFC fighter Conor McGregor were among the other sportsmen on this year's list.

Tom Brady
Tom Brady

Arnold Schwarzenegger also heaped praise on Conor McGregor after making Time magazine's 100 most influential list.

Here's the 100 most influential people of 2017: http://time.com/collection/2017-time-100/

This story was first featured on talkingbaws.com - simple, shareable sport. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

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