Neymar Jr, the best of a generation

Published on

Neymar Jr will look to Brazil’s World Cup quarterfinal against Croatia to right the wrongs of their failed attempts in 2014 and 2018.

In August 2010, Neymar Jr was called up to the Brazilian National team. The 18-year-old phenomenon from Santos had just missed out on the 2010 World Cup Squad and openly spoke about the privilege and honour of playing for his country.

He made his debut against the USA – scoring after 28 minutes – giving the world a glimpse of the teenage sensation set to take Brazil back to greatness, a star capable of reaching heights not seen since Pele. 

Neymar has been a shining light in a Brazilian era filled with disappointment and heartbreak. He has scored 76 goals for Brazil in 123 games, sitting second on their all-time scorers list, a single goal behind Pele.

As an individual he has achieved what many expected of him, set to overtake the greatest Brazilian of all time, but many still feel he has not reached that next level – he has not taken Brazil to a World Cup trophy.

The highlight of Neymar’s international career came at the 2016 Olympics, as the then Barcelona forward led his nation to a first ever Olympic gold medal after defeating Germany in the final, making amends for the embarrassing 7-1 defeat in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals. 

12 years on from his magical debut, Neymar will face Croatia in the World Cup quarterfinals in what is most likely his final appearance at the competition. The star who has carried the weight of the Brazilian’s expectations for his entire career, an 18-year-old labelled the next Pele, will once again step onto the pitch looking to bring glory back to Brazilian shores.

Photo: Twitter/@TalkinTactics

Post by

Dylan Johnson