After The Flop Show At Copa America, Club World Cup Offers Neymar A Chance For Redemption

The Bhagavad Gita states that every living being is unique. By definition, the word ‘individual’ means that which is existing as a separate entity or set apart.

This implies that comparison between two personalities is unjustified; they are different individuals each having a particular set of qualities. But in everyday life, that isn’t to be as each time a young talent emerges, he or she is branded as the ‘next’ legend of the game, which instantly puts them under unnecessary pressure.

Probably this is what happened with Pablo Aimar, Carlos Tevez and Robinho, who had to carry the weight of being the next Maradona or Pele.

Would we add Neymar to this list? That can only be decided as to how the Brazilian puts his skills to use. He could take a leaf out of Lionel Messi's book, who's one of the few players to have lived up to the expectations and, to some extent, the comparisons with his countryman Maradona.

Do It My Way - Messi To Neymar

With Santos set to face Barcelona in the finals of the Club World Cup this Sunday, the stage is set for Neymar. Having led his Santos side to Copa Liberadores triumph last summer, all eyes are on him to put on a spectacle for the world to see.

Here is a player whom Pele, whom many view as a narcissist -- he recently said he'd sent DVDs of his playing days to Messi -- acknowledged as his heir to the crown and that is not something you get to hear every day.

“Better than me? Maybe. There will never be another Pele, but I have said this before and will repeat: I will pass my crown on to the best. And he is the best,” the Brazilian great said of Neymar.

He went on to state that Neymar was way better than the Barcelona number 10, for which Maradona blasted him.

"Making an individual comparison, I think Neymar is much better, more complete: [he] hits well with both feet, can dribble off either side, and scores goals,” Pele said.

“Messi is very good, but much depends on where he plays. He is doing very well in Barcelona, but [with] the Argentina team, which is not yet fully formed, he has difficulties. Neymar plays well for both Santos and the national team.”

We are talking of a player who turned down the appeals of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea to stay at Santos and help them win the Club World Cup as part of the club’s centenary celebrations next season. Each club is trying their utmost to land the talented Brazilian and are ready to shell out as much demanded to get his prized signature.

Having shone in the semi-finals of the Club World Cup against Kashiwa Reysol, where in the opening twenty minutes he hit the post and scored a goal, almost everyone was glued to their television sets to catch a glimpse of the youngster. To see him cut past defenders, switch feet and bend the ball in.

And he did put on quite a show. But the real test lies ahead as he gears up to face Barcelona, who are arguably the best side in the world. As much as the Brazilians and Neymar’s agent would want us to believe that he is world class, there is a division between potential and its actualization. Neymar falls in the former category.

Since bursting on the scene in 2009, it is obvious that Neymar wants to be the centre of attention which is well reflected in his style, on and off the field, which is flamboyant to say the least.

How To Hunt Down Barca? Learn From Ethan Hunt

True to his Mohawk haircut, Neymar exudes confidence of a movie star and has made public his desire to star in ‘Mission Impossible V: Beating The Catalans.’

"Look, [playing Barcelona] are going to be like that film, Mission Impossible. It is very difficult, almost impossible, but you know at the end the guy (Tom Cruise) is always going to do something great and finish his mission. That is what we have to do.”

It was only six months back that Neymar had a chance to showcase his skills in front of the world in Copa America where he flopped miserably and failed to validate the hype around him.

He was frustratingly inconsistent, his first touch wasn’t always the best and would go unnoticed for long periods. He struggled to make an impact on the proceedings and spent far too much time on the ground complaining to the referee after going down at the slightest of touches.

Neymar was guilty of squandering opportunities to score as he would often pick the wrong option. Even in the game against Ecuador where he did score a couple of goals, he was sleepwalking in the first half only to put up a good show after the break.

The Pressure Doesn't Get To My Head!

The Santos forward certainly has the makings of a future star but he remains a raw talent who could fizzle like the men before him being likened to Pele. He has the quickness, ability to create space for himself to take shots and fine crossover skills.

The world will watch the Club World Cup final to see Neymar more than Barcelona and whether the Brazilian can step up and realize the talent he has to make a name for himself remains to be seen.

And even if he does, no more Pele comparisons, please!

As one of the 'next Pele's' Robinho said: "And we, on the field, need to put comparisons aside and try only to play football,” How true!

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