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| Neymar playing for Brazil |
Pele scored over 1000 goals in his career, led his national side
to numerous titles. Yet, the jury is still out there as to whether he is really
is the greatest player of all time (NO!!!). At the peak of his glittering
career, he never played in Europe; as a result there is still an endless debate
as to who the greatest player truly is (Pele or Maradona or Messi). Feels like Dejavu,
doesn’t it?
According to SportsPro Magazine, Neymar is the most marketable athlete with a certain Lionel Messi 3rd place. The question is what makes Neymar so special? Is he really the next Pele? Will he even be a better player than Pele?
Neymar
is one of only four players to have scored 100 goals by the age of 20(including
a goal against palmerias on this 20th birthday to mark his 100th
goal). He won the FIFA puskas award in
2011 with a magnificent solo goal against Flamengo.
Other individual award includes:
Best Young Player of Campeonato Paulista (2009), Best
Forward of Campeonato Paulista (2010, 2011) Best player
of Campeonato Paulista (2010, 2011), Best player of Copa
Santander Libertadores (2011), Prêmio Craque do Brasileirão Championship Squad (2010), Arthur Friedenreich Award (2010), Silver
Ball (2010) – Best Forward in Brazilian League by
magazine Placar, Golden Boot (2010)– Most goals in all competition
in Brazil, Copa do Brazil Top scorer (2010), South American Youth
Championship Top scorer 2011.
Neymar is reported valued at £60 million (more expensive than
Fernando Torres). Personally, I value Neymar
at the same price as Robinho when he joined Real Madrid (£24 million). No, I am not saying Robinho is as talented as
Neymar!
Robinho was handpicked by Pele at the age of 15 in 1999 as the
heir to his throne (rightly so). He led Santos to their first domestic title
since Pele’s era. His insane footwork and swagger on the ball caught the eyes
of the biggest club in the world. Much was expected of him but his time in Europe
so far (especially at Manchester City) has been abysmal with the occasional
stroke of genius. Who is to say Neymar will fare any better?
Neymar might have the world at his feet but he has never played in
Europe competing against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United,
Bayern Munchen, Real Madrid or FC Barcelona. Actually, I remember his invisible
performance against Barcelona in the Fifa world club cup final in Japan. He looked
like a kid lost in the playground on his first day of secondary school. My
point is until Neymar takes European football by storm he will never be mentioned in the same bracket as the Xavis, Iniestas or Zidanes.
I will not take anything away from Neymar. If he leads Brazil to
their first Olympics gold medal and Brazil to their 6th world cup
glory on home soil, he will surely be considered as a great regardless of what
league he plies his trade in. Only time will tell.
