I'm hearing A LOT of talk. A lot. People saying Neymar can be better than Messi and Cristiano...some saying he is already as good as him. In truth, I can't put Neymar in the hype machine because we saw what he did at the Confederations and in that FINAL against Spain. He is the real deal...but not the finished article. All roads now point to the World Cup next year, and the possibility of Neymar surpassing Messi and Cristiano.
That's right, I JUST SAID THAT. If Neymar can INSPIRE Brazil just like Pele, Romario and Ronaldo did and lead the boys in yellow to another victory...then he would achieved a greater success than Messi or Cristiano. It is as simple as that. Anything short of that, he is just a great player who still needs to earn his spurs before he can be put in the conversation alongside Messi....and yeah, he IS already better than Cristiano.
Pele is hailed as a great because he managed what no other player has done by scoring as a 17 YEAR OLD in a World Cup final. Neymar can eclipse that if as a 22 year old he can be the star of the ENTIRE tournament and win the cup on HOME SOIL. That will be a feat that even Pele would have to pay homage to. The question is can it be done?
The Confederations Cup proved it CAN be done, but the World Cup is a whole different matter. Spain will be out for revenge and every country will go that extra yard for this cup. Also, the pressure and expectation will be INFINITIFIED (yeah, i made that up) by the home crowd. Will Neymar be able to handle that pressure? I don't think he will. It may prove to just be too much. But football is where the TRUE amazing happens. So, as the lights will hopefully go up in what we home will be a smooth tournament....we await and see what Neymar can deliver for the greatest footballing nation.
HH
