Neymar may never be as good as hoped to be

Neymar proved to be ineffective as Belgium stole the show in knocking Brazil out of the world cup

When it comes to football no other nation has had a more illustrious history than Brazil. Having won a record five World Cup titles, the Brazilians have also been blessed with some of the world's best talent having won more world footballer of the year awards over the past two decades. 

Romario, Ronaldo, Kaka, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo are just some of the names that come to mind when discussing the innate talent of Brazil. However, none had scaled the heights that Brazil legend and all time great Pele had reached and the hunt for his successor continued.

That is until in the build of the 2009 a 17-year-old Neymar drew the attentions of the Brazilian footballing fraternity performing feats reminiscent of the footballing icon.

Even with the rising powers of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi the wonder kid looked destined to overhaul them as well as by the time he'd left Brazil in 2013 for Spain he'd won the Copa do Brazil, and Copa Libertedores as well as an international title with Brazil lifting the 2013 Fifa Confed Cup in dominant fashion against world champions Spain.

The world looked to be at Neymar's feet as a season later he'd form part of one the most dangerous triumvirates, MSN, in world football alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. 

In his time as part of MSN, Neymar would win 7 trophies including a league and European treble. Neymar finished third behind Messi and Ronaldo for the Ballon D'Or after producing the best form of his career.

By all indications the Brazilian wonder looked to be getting closer to the level of the two greats. But in light of recent events you could argue his career has taken a few steps backwards as he proved ineffective for most of their quarterfinal loss to Belgium in Russia.

Throughout the tournament Neymar tended to stifle Brazil going forward as he held on to the ball for far too long and heading into the new season he definitely has some growing to do as a player.

With the Messi and Ronaldo era entering its twilight years Neymar would have been the next in line to assume the mantle of world's best player, but following a good showing from Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne things might not be all that simple.

Along with that in a few years he'll also have to deal with the emerging talent of Kylian Mbappe as the teenage wonder walks the same path he did, however, he looks to have a good head on his shoulders opposed to Neymar who might have made a mistake by leaving Barcelona for bigger pay days in Paris.

PSG may offer big money, but there's no growth to be had for Neymar at a team with the best players and almost unlimited resources. Essentially Ligue 1 serves nothing more than a feeder system for Europe's big sides and his chase for the Ballon D'Or would have likely succeeded if he stayed at Barcelona learning alongside Messi and Suarez.

Either out of ego, of being in Messi's shadow, or bad advice to chase money Neymar's career could threaten to devolve down the same path as Robinho who chose the new money at Manchester City over glory at Real Madrid.