Brazil’s biggest fan Neymar ready to shoulder expectation of his nation

Sport360 staff 10:06 11/06/2014
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  • Thriving under pressure: Neymar is desperate to secure success for his country at their home World Cup.

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    Despite the €80m transfer fee and the multi-million euro wage packet, Neymar is no different to the millions of Brazilians he will receive the adulation of over the next four weeks.

    A 22-year-old from Sao Paulo will shoulder the hopes of the greatest and most successful football nation ever.

    His face will peer down from every billboard, in a country of 198 million inhabitants, yet there is a boyish charm to Neymar that even superstardom has been unable to change.

    He was just 15 when the South American giants won the rights to host the 20th World Cup, and ever since – just like every other Brazilian – he has day dreamed about it.

    “When it is just you sitting there listening to music your mind goes places,” he says. “Maybe you dream about scoring a hat-trick in the final or maybe you dream about scoring a late winning goal – but the dream always has the same ending and that is winning the World Cup for the Brazilian people.”

    The big difference between Neymar and supporters of the Selecao is that he can actually influence his own fantasy.

    Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side is a curious one in the sense its strength seems to lie in the defensive unit of Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Dani Alves and Marcelo, and robust midfielders like Paulinho, Luiz Gustavo and Fernandinho.

    Contrary to the Samba stereotype, it is not a team seeping with flair like the great sides of Pele, Garrincha, Roberto Rivelino, Zico, Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo.

    Consequently, it is on Neymar to deliver the sort of attacking prowess the home crowd crave.

    His record of 31 goals in 48 games is remarkable for one so young and as the Confederations Cup showed – he scored four times en route to the trophy and the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player – when he produces, so do Brazil.

    So how is he dealing with this sort of expectation and responsibility?

    “I feel ready for The World Cup. What goes on outside the stadiums, the training ground, and the team hotel is not important,” says Neymar.

    “I am sure there will be a lot of hysteria, but the coach will make sure we are fully focused.”

    Of course, Neymar’s great appeal is that he is a man of the people. Although not enduring the same kind of tough upbringing as previous icons, his maverick qualities and outrageous technical ability – gleaned through futsal – always mark him out as a crowd favourite and someone continuing Brazil’s proud flamboyant footballing lineage.

    He plays this way because in his head he remains a fan, recalling his first World Cup memory when he was just three-years-old, watching Romario and Bebeto tear up defences at USA ‘94.

    It is a passion that means he understands what the people want.

    He said: “You accept that when you represent Brazil there will be pressure, not just from the fans, but from everybody in Brazil. Even the leaders of our country make it clear that they expect us to win the World Cup. There is pressure on us as there has been on every Brazil team – but I will still enjoy the tournament and hopefully give the fans what they are desperate for.”

    He also believes Scolari has found the right blend to lead Brazil to a sixth World Cup victory, adding: “I expect us to play exciting football. We are more than that now though – we have the players that if we need to fight to win the game then that is what we will do.”

    But what of Brazil’s rivals for ultimate glory? Who are the sides he believes will be there until the bitter end?

    Understandably, he first selects holders Spain for their strength and depth but once again the dreamer inside cannot help but come to the surface.

    “It is a dream of mine and Lionel (Messi) to meet in the final. Of course he is sure that Argentina would win and I am sure that Brazil would win.

    “We are great friends though – and if we were to meet there would be a hug after the game no matter who was victorious.”

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