The name Neymar will issue from the lips of any football pundit talking about the new generation of football superstars.
He seems to have everything: the Nike endorsement, the looks, the fashion, and the ability. At least he seems to have the ability.
Well, he seems to walk through his opponents when playing domestically.
But does this prove his ability? Far from it.
Neymar is playing in the Brazilian league, and at twenty one years of age, has already been playing for Sao Paulo club Santos since 2009. This is not completely unusual in this league.
He has made over one hundred appearances, racking up fifty goals in the process.
While this total may seem impressive, unsung Brazilian star Alexandre Pato racked up a remarkably similar statistic playing for A.C. Milan in the Italian league which is far more competitive.
Playing for the national team, Neymar’s goal tally is also impressive, until you look at the calibre of teams he has scored against.
Almost half of his goals have come against international minnows China, Iraq, Bolivia and Scotland.
Using Pato as a comparison point again, he has scored almost half of his international goals against competitive football countries such as Ecuador and Sweden, while battling injury and playing against some of the best teams in the world domestically.
The difference between Pato and Neymar?
Alexandre Pato has proved himself against quality opposition. He has scored over fifty goals in just over one hundred appearances in one of the most defensively-strong leagues in the world.
Neymar can in no way be touted as the best young player in the world when he is playing in a league hardly recognised as one of the best and is performing poorly in comparison to people playing over in Europe.
Neymar has turned down several offers from Europe, despite the illustrious pay checks attached to these offers.
Why? He is afraid. Afraid that he could simply become another over-hyped star that regularly disappoints, ruining his career.
His performance against Barcelona in 2012 was a testament to this fact. He failed to even show any signs of brilliance despite having free kicks, one-on-ones and corners.
The fact is Neymar is unlikely to ever match up to the abilities of top European players because he has done little more than equal the statistics of his European counterparts, despite playing against very low-quality teams.
The best move for Neymar’s brand would be to stay in Brazil where he is regarded as the best.
However the best move for his football would be to move to a European club. German giants Bayern Munich could be after him and due to the domination of the team, and high scoring nature of the league, it could help his brand too.
Barcelona and Madrid would also be good moves, but game time would be less guaranteed.
Neymar’s future is filled with uncertainty and there is a chance it could be dim.
However the sooner he is able to prove himself against quality opposition, the sooner rewards ensue.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
You are the speculation king Harsh. Here is some advice, dont bother with speculation about the future, worry about the here and now and then talk about it once it happens. Dont worry too much about guess work and rumours.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
Rumors says that Barcelona have already done the down payment for future use. Neymar will land to Barcelona after the World cup and carry the great Barcelona team on his shoulders. With him and Messi together, European trophies will be Barca's ultimate goal other than La liga as usual. Tough times for Madrid, they surely need Gareth Bale or Segio Aguero.
Harsh Sinha
Roar Guru
He should probably play either in Barcelona or Real Madrid. We can see the torch being passed to him by Messi just like Ronaldinho did to Messi. Neymar is a phenominal playmaker.
Gavin
Guest
I think what we are forgetting is that he is only 21 and his priority, as stated many times before, is the 2014 World Cup, A good showing there and his value will be through the roof. I do think he is quite overrated in terms of all the hype but he'll get his chance and he'll be in Europe post 2014 Brazil. The price tags associated with players from these lesser leagues are ridiculous but it'sa bit of a gamble. Fork out the 30 mil + i assume Santos will ask for and resale could be worth 50 mil in a few years time.
Jaiden Florimo
Roar Rookie
What does 'Naymar's brand' mean? He is a footballer and a person, not a brand. He is also overrated.
Milanista
Guest
To Nick - If Neymar does indeed, 'love' Santos, he would not have kept on increasing his wages - despite knowing that the team would have had to shut down their futsal and ladies' team to keep him. He still did, didn't he? So, I guess that factor is out of the equation... I think he is scared, and wrongly so. I don't think he'll be a failure, but he will never be the world's best, not even close. I think what he is scared of, is losing this God status that he has, the feeling of being a symbol of something. If he goes to Barca, needless to say Messi will overshadow him... If Madrid, then Ronaldo... And in the off-chance that he goes to Bayern, well, they rotate around Schweinsteiger, and not even Guardiola can change that. But is he a bad player? No, not by a long shot! But, is he overrated? Yes. And Neymarvellous, it IS funny how he compares Neymar to Pato. After all, Pato is miles ahead, and has proved himself too... Neymar needs to overshadow the achievements of players like Luis Fabiano before being compared to him... :)
Nick Guthrie
Roar Pro
I don't think it's a case of being afraid I believe he really does love Santos and is happy there. He also has a young son so I think it would be hard to leave his child, especially when he is only 21 years old himself. He loves his club, he's been playing since 17 and despite his comments and him seemingly 'flirting' with clubs like Barca it seems he's very happy there. He also earns so much through sponsorship deals he doesn't really need the huge salary that Europe can offer at the moment. Also if he moves to Europe soon and doesn't adapt quickly he could harm his chances for World Cup selection. I do agree that for his football growth he needs to go to Europe and I'm sure that he will but for now I think he has every right to stay in Brazil a little longer.
Jb Aguino
Guest
Hello,im jb of philippines,im the one fan of neymar,he is my favote player all the time,he is good player,i think he is good person,handsome..i hope i see him,.heje can i ask?they have new photo neymar?.to you neymar,take care of your self,god bls u always,see you soon,.it's me jb..mwah!
Neymarvelous
Guest
You obviously are anti-Neymar. The fact that you are comparing Pato to Neymar (very funny by the way) proves your ignorance. Neymar will silence all critics .... that's for certain. AND he does not have to go to 'The Mother Land' to do so. He has not left the shores of the samba AND he is already the most talked about footballer on the planet. If he does go to Europe it will be on his own timing .... and he will destroy. You say Neymar is afraid ...... Hilarious ! You obviously fear him.
TNT
Guest
I agree that Neymar *needs* to go to Europe to grow and I too am a little skeptical he would ever get to the level of Messi or Ronaldo. However all these claims that he's "just a YouTube sensation" are complete rubbish: his dribbling, passing, finishing skills are done on the field, in real matches, against teams which might not be featuring the top players in the world but they're still in a competitive league in a country where soccer is the top sport... so let's not get overboard with calling him a fraud: he does show some very promising talent, he just needs to step up to reach the point where he could seriously be called one of the best players in the world. Right now, he's just a candidate for that level.