Rafael reckons Neymar will only become a leader if he starts to listen.
Neymar junior can still lead Brazil to glory, according to Brazil international teammate.
The world's most expensive player continues to be linked with a return to Barcelona.
Former Manchester United right-back Rafael da Silva has taken a swipe at Neymar Jnr, saying the Paris Saint-Germain star is ‘not a leader’.
The 28-year-old became the most expensive signing in world football following his €222million move from Barca to Ligue 1 side PSG in 2017, but, he is now constantly linked with a return move to the Camp Nou.
The Brazil forward's attitude on and off the pitch continues to be questioned, and, Lyon full-back Rafael says his compatriot needs to be 'focused and concentrated' to become the best footballer on the planet.
"We need Neymar, that's for sure," Rafael told ESPN. "We need him a lot. He needs to improve a lot of things outside the pitch. It's important for a footballer.
"He needs to improve a lot outside the pitch to come inside the pitch and do his best. I hope he can do that and if he does we have a big chance to win.
"Neymar is not a leader. I don't think he's a leader. It's not him. He can do the things he does because if he is good if he's focused and concentrated, he is the best player in the world."
Rafael added: "Football has to the first option of your life. He has so many things around him. He thinks in his mind 'I don't need to do that' to play well but you need to.
"There are a lot of things you need to do. If he does that and someone can put this in his mind -- I know him and I've played with him -- I know he's a hard guy to listen to orders. It's not good with him.
"I say the truth but sometimes people don't want to listen to the truth. They want you to say 'you are good, you are magic' they want you to say all the good stuff but life is not like that.
"I think he needs to listen more and if he does that it will be hard to stop Brazil."
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