Has The Time Come for Neymar to Thrive?

Neymar was called up to the 2010 World Cup provision squad when he was just 18 years old by then manager Carlos Dunga. He didn’t make it to South Africa, which means that Qatar 2022 will be Neymar’s third World Cup. His last two attempts at lifting the trophy were met with bad fortune. He suffered the famous back injury in the 2014 quarter finals against Colombia and performed exceptionally well at Russia 2018 when returning from a three-month absence due to a fractured foot.

Neymar was 10 years old the last time Brazil won the World Cup, in 2002, and 15 years old the last time a Brazilian (Kaka) won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2007. Both of these are achievements that Neymar is sure to crave, and they are both measures by which the public will always judge him. As such, this year, there is a huge amount of pressure on the player.

Arguably, the biggest game of Neymar’s life so far was the 2020 Champions League final, Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich. As soon as Bayern scored their only goal in the 59th minute, the pressure appeared to become too much for Neymar. His game began to fall apart and he began to reflect the name on the back of his shirt “Neymar Junior”.

Both on and off the pitch, Neymar is known somewhat as a special case. A prodigy who was propelled into the spotlight by his father. However, it is arguable that this arrangement has prevented him from truly developing as a player.

Some would say that Neymar’s world record transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 was a form of substitute rebellion. Neymar and Lionel Messi have a well-documented and genuine friendship. However, back then, Barcelona was very much Messi’s team, and perhaps leaving it to go to PSG was a statement of independence that he has never managed to make from his father.

When Neymar was a teenager, it was clear that he craved the celebrity lifestyle that came with football stardom. However, that is not to detract from his work ethic and there has never been any evidence that his performance on the pitch suffered. This is in contrast to today when he has come under criticism for his weight. Although, to be fair to Neymar, this may simply be due to the aging process rather than his off-pitch behaviour. Nonetheless, it has led to greater on his lifestyle and there is no way that this will diminish ahead of the World Cup.

Recently, Messi arrived at the Parc de Princes on a free transfer, which afforded him the chance to escape the limelight and focus on his game. Neymar may find that he is soon in a similar situation. He has missed the last three World Cup qualifiers and a number of rising stars, such as Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, have taken his place.

In the last two World Cups, there was a huge amount of pressure on Neymar. This was only made worse after his back injury prevented him from playing in the 2014 semi-final against Germany; his teammates were seen wearing caps bearing his name before they lost 7-1. At Russia 2018 there was once again a huge amount of focus on Neymar. It was evident that he felt every ounce of it, breaking down in tears after a victory over Costa Rica.

Since then, Neymar has had time to mature and other players have had the chance to rise through the ranks. As such, the pressure on him has subdued and it may give him the space he needs to perform at his best in this year’s tournament.

If Neymar is to win the World Cup, it will be as a vital part of a team, not as a one man army. If the focus is placed on the entire team, then it can only be better for Neymar, the team, and Brazil’s football fans.