Gary Neville Names Forgotten Brazilian Legend as the 'Best I Played Against'

Manchester United legend Gary Neville picked a forgotten Brazilian star as the best he has ever faced.

Having spent almost 20 years competing at the top level of football playing for both Manchester United and England from 1992 to 2011, Neville has played alongside and against some of the best to ever do it.

Across his incredibly successful spell at United, the defender played against some of the greatest Premier League players of all time, including the likes of Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard and Alan Shearer.

Meanwhile, while representing his country as a part of England's 'golden generation', Neville faced Luis Figo, Fabio Cannavaro and United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

But there is one player that stood out amongst the rest as the best that Neville ever came up against on a football pitch.

Neville has faced some of the best players in Premier League history. (Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Back in Club World Championships in 2000, United suffered a shock 3-1 loss to Brazilian club Vasco da Gama as they looked to win the inaugural edition of the competition.

During the game, Neville came up against Brazil legend Romario, a player who he has since labelled as the best he's ever played.

Sharing a clip from an interview with Romario on his Instagram story, Neville wrote: "The best I played against!"

It's not the first time that former United defender has sang the praises of the Brazil legend, as he once recalled playing against Romario during an interview with Sky Sports.

"Romario was the most incredible player. Speed of turn, speed off the mark, the ability to beat someone. He was just an amazing player," he said in 2017.

"Romario was, to me, the scariest thing I've seen. I remember him just stood in front of me and I'm thinking I've got him, then he's spinning me and running behind me and I'm thinking 'what the hell was that?'

Gary Neville was a part of the Manchester United side that lost 3-1 to Vasco da Gama (Image: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT

"I can't believe what I've just seen, and the ball had gone behind me. Brilliant instinctive movement, change of direction.

"The change of direction from Romario was exceptional, and that was the thing that always troubled me the most.

"You can handle straight pace because you can always drop off, but change of direction at pace, with the ball. You'd just... pray! Come back and help me people!"