Neymar

[juanes]

Club:BrazilSantos FC

Nationality:BrazilBrazil

Age:18

Height:1.76 m / 5.77 ft

Weight:54 kg / 118 lbs

Position:Striker

http://blitzdoesporte.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/neymar.jpg

It isn’t easy for a young starlet to emerge at Brazilian side Santos, following in the footsteps of arguably the greatest player of all time (Pele) and one of the most skilful wingers in recent history (Robinho), the comparisons are bound to be endless.

 

The good news is that Neymar da Silva Santos Junior has taken it all in his stride so far and the 17-year-old seems just fine living up to the moniker of "the new Robinho" and the "new Pele" tag has somewhat died down.

 

The hype surrounding Neymar has been alive since he was 13; when he made his first team debut in early March he was greeted with a huge cheer by Santos fans eager to see the next world star graduate through their ranks.

 

The most encouraging aspect of Neymar ’s play so far is that he has taken the hype on his young shoulders and doesn’t appear to be fazed at all. The 5.8 forward provided two assists in just his second Serie A game against Goias Goiania and in subsequent substitute appearances Neymar has looked the real deal.

 

In recent weeks Neymar has continued to fuel his burgeoning reputation, scoring an 89th minute equaliser to secure a 3-3 draw with Gremio Bareuri in mid-July and then a week later the "new Robinho" popped up with a winner at the end of the home match with Atletico Paranaense to claim a 1-0 victory.

 

As Neymar establishes himself as probably the number one talent on the conveyor belt that is Brazilian football, Santos can console themselves in the knowledge that they will receive a hefty fee for the 17-year-old.

 

The two-footed striker, who can play on the left or right, or deeper through the middle, is contracted to the club until the end of the 2014 season and includes a termination clause of 30 million euros. Santos however won’t receive the entire fee, Neymar ’s parents sold 40% of his rights to a Brazilian company to improve their financial situation dramatically.

 

Scouts in Brazil are likely to be raving about Neymar and it is fair to say he is set to join some of the biggest clubs in world football when he does move. Manchester United, local rivals Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are the Premier League teams linked, whilst Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid (where he was offered a trial at the age of 16) are also interested. Throw in AC Milan, known for their excellent contacts in Brazil, and it seems that Neymar has his choice of every major club in the world.

 

IMScouting’s network of scouts in Brazil describe Neymar as a player with "good ability with both feet, good dribbling, first touch and finishing. His natural fitness gives him the advantage for regularly being in good form." Some pundits have warned though that he has a long way to go to be the finished article and he has been undergoing specific physical fitness work as he undoubtedly needs to bulk up somewhat to play in Europe.

 

The comparisons with Robinho were just too easy. Both players share a similar history: a young, thin, black and poor boy from Santos that started playing futsal. Neymar is confident, not adverse to the odd step over and can also beat a man with pure pace or trickery on the ball. He is also adept at taking free-kicks and his in swinging set-pieces taken with his right foot were responsible for his two assists against Goias.

 

Like the Manchester City winger, Neymar seems to have a natural affection for "Joga Bonito" and he can also score with his head, as he proved with his late headed equaliser against Gremio Bareuri.

 

Of course, young players in Brazil are heralded all the time as the next big thing. Neymar ’s father, formerly a mechanic, is well aware of this and now works for his son to make sure he behaves himself off the pitch. In this respect, he wants him to be closer in behaviour to Pele than Robinho.

 

Neymar is not allowed to wear an earring during interviews and has to be home early from nights out. The tricky forward still attends an evangelical church and goes to elocution classes. Nevertheless, Neymar is still shy off the field and in interviews.

 

Nike were quick to snap up Neymar as the young face of their football boots in Brazil and it seems almost certain that the Santos number seven will be featuring on screens around the world in the coming years. If he carries on at this pace, we could even see Neymar at the 2010 World Cup where the comparisons with Pele really could begin in earnest.