Stage is set for Neymar to show world he’s grown up

BRAZIL head coach Tite intends to continue with the recent tradition of rotating the captain’s armband as the country’s World Cup campaign kicks off against the Swiss tomorrow. What no one is in any doubt about is that the team’s leader and talisman will be Neymar. It’s because Neymar renounced the captaincy after the Rio Olympics that Tite decided to change skipper every match. In the last 21 games, Brazil have had 14 different captains. Everyone expects Neymar to wear it if they reach the final. More than anything else, because it will probably have been because of him. He has already talked about Russia 2018 being the chance to erase memories of four years ago, saying this week: ‘Maybe we will meet Germany again and there can be real revenge.’ It is not just the country’s football credibility that needs to be repaired in Russia. For the last year, Neymar’s reputation has veered between little boy lost and spoiled child. First he left Barcelona because he wanted to be the centre of attention somewhere else. Then he argued with team-mates at his new club — sometimes on the pitch over penalty and free-kick responsibilities. And as he appears to regret his move to Paris Saint-Germain, the French club continue to be determined to pander to his every whim to keep him from signing for Real Madrid. This is his chance to prove that accusations of frivolous, selfobsession are wide of the mark. Asked about the humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany four years ago, Neymar (right) told German media: ‘I would love to play the game again with me on the pitch. I am sure the result would have been different.’ Ruled out of that semifinal, Brazil were ravaged by a rampant Germany. Four years on, they would love that shot at getting their own back. His presence would not be the only reason why they would be better equipped this time. Philippe Coutinho replaced him at Barcelona and had an excellent second half to the season. Gabriel Jesus won the league at Manchester City. Jesus is now the subject of various murals around the country, but the dominating image is of Neymar. There have been plenty of doubts over the last 12 months. One story emanating from Barcelona at the start of the year told the tale of how Javier Mascherano was summoned to Neymar’s beach mansion when they were still team-mates. The front door opened on to what seemed like one of those rum adverts with revellers enjoying the party of their lives. Mascherano’s conclusion was that Neymar’s lifestyle was going to cut short his career. Towards the end of his time at Barcelona, the club had similar concerns. They were voiced publicly in one training session by Luis Enrique’s assistant Carles Unzue. No one close to PSG believes the player has changed his ways in Paris. His birthday party this season was the event of the year and to ensure he stayed on the right side of then-coach Unai Emery, he made sure he invited him. ‘I went along but left as soon as the cake was cut,’ said the now Arsenal manager. Still inseparable from his tight group of friends, Neymar remains a law unto himself as Emery has hinted at in interviews since leaving the club. Despite all that PSG had no such qualms paying him between ¤35million and ¤40m net a season — figures high enough to make Lionel Messi’s eyes water and Cristiano Ronaldo’s blood boil that he doesn’t pick up the same. ‘I would have paid less money for me,’ Neymar said this week. He goes into this tournament as the most expensive player in history. When Brazil debut against the Swiss he can take the first step in showing that, even outside the extremes of the transfer market, he’s the world’s No 1.