France hold all the aces
Brazilian superstar can handle pressure
NEYMAR has identified France as one of the main threats to Brazil’s chances of World Cup glory.
Holders Les Bleus have one of the most formidable attacks on show, led by Neymar’s PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid striker and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
With such a prolific attack, underpinned by a creative midfield and solid defence, Neymar reckons France have every chance of successfully defending the trophy they won in 2018.
“It’s always hard to talk about favourites at the World Cup, but they are a great team and will be one of the nations who expect to win,” said Neymar.
“Mbappe is a great talent and, along with Benzema, they will have one of the most dangerous attacks at the tournament.”
However, Neymar also identified two of Brazil’s young forward talents who can make a major impact in Qatar — Real Madrid’s
Vinicius Jr and
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli (inset).
On Vinicius Jr, Neymar said: “He is not just one of the best young players in the world, but one of the best players, full stop.
Playing
“Look at the level he has been playing with Madrid and what he has helped them win — there has been nobody better.”
Martinelli’s inclusion was questioned by some of the nation’s former players but Neymar backed him.
“He doesn’t do anything apart from play well,” he added. “It’s the biggest competition in the world so there will always be comments and opinions. “When that nation is Brazil, there are going to be even more comments because of our history. “What anybody thinks is not relevant. He needs to just work hard and show his ability on the field if he is given that chance.”
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BY HIS own admission this could be his last World Cup, which has only increased the expectation on Neymar to lead Brazil to glory.
At 30 he should have one more World Cup in him, but Brazil’s star player has raised the spectre of this being his final outing and is under even more pressure as a result.
But the Paris St-Germain forward, one of the most gifted players of his generation, insists he is comfortable with the expectation on him and can carry the hopes of a nation.
“Pressure is not always easy but it’s something I’m used to,” said Neymar (inset).
“I will do everything that I can for Brazil to be successful in Qatar.
“If there’s pressure on me, then that’s my responsibility to deal with it.
“Since I was a little boy this has been my greatest dream. I think it’s the dream of every player to win the World Cup with their country and for their people.
Dream
“My dream is still alive and we all hope 2022 is the year that dream comes true.
“For Brazil, the expectation is always the same and that is to win the World Cup.
“It doesn’t matter what the squad is, the expectation from the nation, from the fans, from football, is for Brazil to be victorious.”
Asked about the prospect of this being his last World Cup,
Neymar said: “For now, the World Cup is so close that I’m just focused on being prepared.
“After the tournament will be the chance to think and to make decisions.”
Failure and frustration have characterised Neymar’s previous two World Cups.
Defeat
In 2014, he suffered a fractured vertebra in Brazil’s quarter-final win over Colombia, ending his tournament before the crushing 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany.
Four years ago in Russia, Brazil came up short again, beaten 2-1 in the quarter-finals by
Belgium, Neymar denied an equaliser in added time by an outrageous save from Thibaut
Courtois.
In addition to that misery,
Neymar has alienated many neutral fans with controversial displays of petulance and playacting, traits which have often overshadowed his prodigious talent on the biggest stage of all.
But his supreme self-belief will ensure he will focus on doing all he can to bring the trophy synonymous with Brazil back to the country for a sixth time in all and the first since 2002.
Honour
“To get to put on the jersey of Brazil in a World Cup is always special,” said Neymar.
“We all know what it means to the people of Brazil and it’s a big honour.
“We have players at this tournament who were not at the last one, who we know can score goals, who we know can create goals, and that’s always welcome.”
An added incentive for Neymar is the chance to become Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer. He is currently on 75, two behind the legendary Pele, and said: “I hope my team-mates can help me break the record and it would be something for me to celebrate — but, as always, it will be the team first.”