sport news Can Neymar lead Brazil to victory at the World Cup in Qatar? trends now
Neymar, the finest Brazilian footballer of his generation, goes to his third World Cup still the biggest star in a very talented squad, although this time with a supporting cast of exciting young players.
Vinicius Junior is emerging as the one most likely to inherit the responsibility of leading Brazil, along with the likes of Rodrygo, Antony and Gabriel Martinelli.
The future will unfold without Tite, the head coach who is stepping down after Qatar, and perhaps without Neymar, who has been saying for months that it might be his final World Cup.
Brazil and PSG star Neymar is set to head in to his third World Cup as part of an exciting team
Neymar is weary of the pressure but is determined to lead the Selecao to glory in Qatar
At 30, he is weary of the pressure, the scrutiny that comes with carrying Brazilian hopes for a decade. He feels there is too much criticism, especially relating to his behaviour away from the pitch.
'There are injustices for being Neymar,' he said in an interview with Globo Esporte in June.
'I've heard things in my career and I've heard things to this day that I look at and think are meaningless. I could not reach the numbers I have without taking care of myself in my career, without having trained, without having fought to conquer it all.
'In this sense, unfair criticism hurts me a lot because no one knows the reality of what I go through. Nobody knows about my day to day.'
Neymar has always felt aggrieved by his portrayal in the media. For many years his lifestyle choices were the focus of attention, especially when he was spotted partying at the Rio Carnival when he was out injured. There have been high-profile investigations into his tax affairs and his transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint- Germain, although most recently he has attracted criticism for his politics.
'The day I don't want to take care of myself any more, I won't play football,' said Neymar. 'People have to understand my life is not the way they imagine it. I am here to break records, to try to make history in the national team. I have already built a long history in the squad and I want to finish it well.'
Led by the experienced Tite, Brazil have several talented young players and quality experience
Look at his numbers and Neymar belongs among the legends. He has 121 caps and 75 goals for Brazil, second only in the goal charts to Pele, who scored 77. In Qatar, there is every chance he will pass the man known to Brazilians simply as The King.
Tite's team start their campaign against Serbia tomorrow week, followed by Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.
The Pele comparisons have been present since Neymar emerged at Santos, the same club, and was hailed by many as his natural successor. As time went by, the challenge proved greater than the dream. Despite his glittering career at Barcelona and PSG, Neymar has yet to win the Ballon d'Or. Even in recent years, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the twilight of their careers, he has been unable to fill the void.
Neymar will no doubt go down as a Brazil legend, with 75 goals in 121 caps for the national team
Pele won the World Cup three times by the age of 30 but Neymar has found the comparisons with the Brazil legend challenging, having not reached the same heights at the tournament
Pele won the World Cup as a teenager and three times by the age of 30. Neymar has not yet truly impressed at the global jamboree. In 2014, when Brazil were hosts and the weight of expectation most intense, he hurt his back in a quarter-final
