The question is Neymar a false 9 has been debated for years among football fans, coaches, and analysts. Neymar’s genius on the ball, his ability to drift into pockets of space, and his flair for creativity have all made him one of the most versatile forwards of his generation. But has he ever truly been a “false nine” like Messi, Firmino, or even Benzema at times? Today, KorKick will take you deep into Neymar’s tactical evolution, breaking down his roles in club and international football to see whether the Brazilian magician fits into this unique position.
What is a false 9 in football
Before we analyze Neymar, we must first understand the false 9 role. Traditionally, a number 9 is a striker who leads the line, stays high, and finishes chances. The “false nine,” however, is a tactical invention where the striker drops deeper, into midfield zones, dragging defenders out of position and creating space for wingers or attacking midfielders to exploit.
Key traits of a false 9
- Excellent ball control and vision.
- Ability to link midfield and attack.
- Strong dribbling and passing skills.
- Tactical intelligence to manipulate defensive lines.
- Often more creator than finisher.
Some iconic false 9 players include Lionel Messi at Barcelona under Pep Guardiola, Francesco Totti at Roma, and more recently Roberto Firmino at Liverpool.
Neymar’s natural position and style
Neymar’s career has largely seen him play as a left winger or second striker.
- At Santos: Neymar was a free-roaming forward, dazzling with flair, but often positioned on the left.
- At Barcelona: He played left of Messi and Suarez in the famous “MSN” trio, rarely central unless Messi dropped into midfield.
- At PSG: Neymar sometimes shifted centrally, but usually preferred drifting.
- For Brazil: Coaches occasionally tested him in a false 9 role, especially when the team lacked a traditional striker.
Neymar’s skillset—dribbling, vision, creativity—ticks many boxes of a false 9, but his instinct to drift wide often pulls him away.
Neymar’s experiments as a false 9
Throughout his career, Neymar has occasionally been deployed as a false nine, especially when his team lacked a classic striker.
Barcelona without Messi
In the 2013/14 season, when Messi was injured, Neymar was tried as a false 9. Against teams like Real Valladolid, he played centrally, dropping into pockets to combine with Pedro and Alexis Sánchez. While effective in moments, Neymar’s tendency to drift left remained strong.
Brazil national team
Brazil managers Mano Menezes and later Tite occasionally used Neymar as a false 9. The idea was to maximize his influence centrally, allowing Gabriel Jesus or Willian to attack. The results were mixed—Neymar thrived creatively, but Brazil often lacked a pure finisher in the box.
PSG’s tactical shuffle
Under Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino, Neymar sometimes started centrally, especially when Mbappe preferred to stay wide. He acted as a playmaking forward, feeding runners like Di María and Mbappé. Again, though, Neymar’s instinct often pulled him into a number 10 role rather than staying between the center-backs.
Advantages of Neymar as a false 9
When Neymar plays as a false 9, several benefits emerge:
- Unpredictability: Defenders don’t know whether to follow him deep or hold the line.
- Creative hub: He becomes the heartbeat of the attack, linking play.
- Draws fouls: Neymar’s dribbling wins dangerous free kicks around the box.
- Space for others: Wide players like Mbappé or Raphinha benefit.
Limitations of Neymar in this role
Despite the positives, Neymar is not always ideal as a false 9.
- Finishing consistency: He is a good scorer but not as clinical as elite strikers.
- Physicality: Against strong center-backs, Neymar sometimes struggles to hold the ball under pressure.
- Natural instincts: He prefers drifting left and deeper, leaving the box empty at crucial moments.
- Injury issues: Central play demands more duels and defensive pressure, which can expose his fragile fitness.
Thus, while Neymar can be an effective false 9, he isn’t as natural in the role as Messi or Firmino.
Tactical analysis: Neymar vs other false 9s
Comparing Neymar with other famous false nines highlights his uniqueness:
- Messi: Operated centrally with devastating efficiency, both creator and finisher. Neymar has creativity but lacks Messi’s killer instinct.
- Firmino: Sacrificed personal stats for Liverpool’s system. Neymar often seeks spotlight and flair, making him more individualistic.
- Totti: A central force at Roma who redefined the role. Neymar hasn’t consistently committed to central positioning.
Neymar, therefore, is a hybrid false 9—capable of performing the role in bursts but more comfortable as a left-sided creator.
Could Neymar succeed long-term as a false 9
In theory, Neymar could thrive as a permanent false 9 if paired with fast wingers who attack the space he vacates. Imagine Neymar pulling defenders deep, with Mbappé or Vinícius Jr. sprinting in behind—that’s chaos for defenses. However, the main question is whether Neymar’s discipline and fitness could sustain such a demanding role consistently.
Some coaches see him better as a classic “number 10” playmaker behind a striker, rather than the false nine itself. This positioning gives him freedom without leaving the box empty.
Conclusion
So, is Neymar a false 9? The answer is both yes and no. Neymar has the qualities—vision, dribbling, creativity—to thrive in that role when needed. He has played there for Barcelona, PSG, and Brazil, often unlocking defenses with brilliance. Yet, his natural instincts lean toward being a left-sided playmaker rather than a permanent central orchestrator.
At KorKick, we believe Neymar is best described as a “false 9 option,” not a natural one. Coaches can unleash him there in tactical experiments, but his artistry shines brightest when he has the freedom to roam. For fans, the debate itself is a reminder of Neymar’s versatility, and the fact that one of football’s greats can redefine roles in his own way.
Now it’s your turn—would you prefer to see Neymar permanently as a false 9, or do you think his magic belongs on the left flank? Share your thoughts and keep following KorKick for more tactical deep-dives into the beautiful game.
