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The PSG star edged out O Fenemeno on Tuesday, but the 28-year-old won’t be remembered as a better striker unless he turns out at a World Cup.
It’s official: now only Pelé stands between Neymar and a place in Brazil’s record books.
The Paris Saint-Germain striker stepped forward with two penalties and a late touch to defeat Peru in a thrilling World Cup qualifier on Thursday as Selecao came back twice to prevail 4-2 in Lima.
Tite’s charges, thus, begin his path to Qatar 2022 with a perfect six points out of six, and his star forward now occupies a privileged position in the history of Brazil.
His hat-trick saw him usurp Ronaldo as the Selecao’s second top scorer, with an incredible 64-goal tally in just 103 games since he debuted in 2010.
Such a feat should not be underestimated.
Neymar is the best Brazilian of his generation and one of the most talented players to ever come from a country whose football pedigree is equal to that of any nation on the planet.
Coach Tite certainly didn’t hesitate to place his star among the best after watching him pull his team out of a bind on Tuesday.
“Each generation has its own values. Ronaldo was extraordinary, Rivaldo was extraordinary, Romario and Bebeto too, each one in his own moment, ”he told the press.
“It is unfair to make comparisons. All I can say is that Neymar is very unpredictable. He is a player who not only gives you assists but also goals, and with increasing maturity ”.
Does Neymar deserve to be mentioned at the same time as those superstars?
In terms of sheer numbers, the 28-year-old has already surpassed them, and in record time, helped by the sheer number of games played in modern football and the second-division opposition that Brazil has faced in their friendlies throughout the years.
Barring a catastrophe, he will soon surpass Pelé’s 77 count and become the top scorer. But it lacks something that all of the above presumes: real and tangible success at the international level.
Or Rei, of course, and his four World Cups are an almost impossible example to follow. But few would say that Neymar’s achievements with Brazil can match Ronaldo, or even Romario, Rivaldo or Ronaldinho.
They are all world champions, while the current flag bearer has not even come close to lifting the trophy.
His two attempts to lead Brazil to their coveted sixth World Cup ended in the quarterfinals.
In 2014, an injury ruled him out for the most humiliating episode in national soccer history: a 7-1 semi-final loss to Germany. Four years later, Brazil bombarded Belgium, losing 2-1 despite dominating the game.
In the Copa América it has been a similar story. The continental trophy of South America during the 2000s was seen almost as a formality for the Selecao, which achieved consecutive successes despite having teams close to the reserve.
However, in the two editions he has played, the forward missed the failure of the 2016 Centennial due to his Olympic commitments, Neymar has not exceeded the last eight either.
When Tite’s men finally ended that streak of disappointment last year, it was with their star as a spectator, and his absence made little difference during their successful run to the title.
Neymar was part of a Confederations Cup win in 2013, and has a gold medal to show for his efforts in Rio three years later, but it’s a poor return when facing players like Ronaldo, who sent his nation to the Consecutive World Cup. finals and victory in 2002.
Neymar doesn’t even enjoy the same position as Zico or Socrates. Neither of them took the most prestigious award in the game, but they wowed the world with their skills, the most memorable in Spain ’82, but they were symbols of a Selecao that has an almost mythical status in Brazil.
In a sense, Neymar has become a victim of his own success.
We’re so used to seeing him score two or three goals a game, that when he falls short of that mark, especially in crucial encounters, he is an easy target for critics, especially when his explosive temper flares or the game infuriating. the performance begins.
“It has become difficult for him because of all the things he does besides playing football,” Pele admitted. sheet in 2018 after the failure of the Selecao in Russia.
“He was unlucky because the team didn’t win the cup and he was singled out. I was with him twice in Europe, we chatted and I explained it like this: ‘God has given you the gift of football. The problem is that you have made life difficult for yourself. ‘
However, time remains on Neymar’s side. If his physical condition allows it, he could participate in at least two more World Cups before hanging up his boots.
It is equally true that no man wins the famous trophy without help: he will need the support of a strong Brazilian team around him, and this current generation of players seems as talented as any that Neymar has appeared in since he first entered. to the international arena.
For now, however, the PSG ace has 64 goals but very few performances that will remain in the memory of his fans at home.
He may soon surpass even Pelé and make history, but his legacy will be determined by how he performs in Qatar.
The World Cup remains a true test for any player seeking immortality in Brazil.
