World Cup in Russia gives glimpse at the next generation of Balon D'Or hopefuls (Part 1)

NEYMAR has waited for some time to be proclaimed the world's best and it seems that wait could finally be over

With the dust settling after an intrigurging past few weeks at this year's Fifa World Cup in Russia seeing a number of subplots take place, chief of which included the exit of champions Germany in the group stage, surprise exits of Argentina, Spain and Portugal.

The biggest of the taking point would be what looks to be the end of the World Cup careers of modern day greats Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who once again failed to live up to their club form, as their respective teams fell at the last 16 with both failing to register a goal in a knockout match of a world cup.

By the looks of it we could be looking an end of an era of dominance for the duo given their respective ages of 31 and 33.

By design or out of pure coincidence the players still participating in Russia look to be the next generation of players who will be looking to claim the mantle of the world's best player, and it could all begin by doing what two of the greatest players couldn't do by winning the World Cup.

Without further a due let's take a look at what the future of football could like in a few years.

Just like Ronaldo and Messi Brazilian ace Neymar rose prominence at an early age and in his formative years media attention was on the Brazilian from across the pond as Europe looked to lure him away from his homeland at 14.

However, he would remain in Brazil where he blazed a path to glory for himself and duly he was labelled not only as the next big thing in football, but was proclaimed the heir apparent to Pele's title as the sports greatest player. In the eyes of many he looked to have the potential to surpass both Ronaldo and Messi in his ascension to the summit of the sport when he made his professional debut at 17.

Those claims looked to be substantiated as Neymar played a starring role in bringing an end to Santos' 48 year wait for a Copa Libertadores title. By the time he'd turned 21 the wonder kid had won everything there was to offer in Brazilian football and had scored over 100 goals for Santos.

In 2013 he made the decision to move to the Nou Camp and before that, left a lasting impression on his future teammates when he caused havoc against world champions Spain as Brazil lifted the 2013 FIFA Confedeations Cup on home soil in a 3-0 win.

What followed was an illustrious career at Barcelona where he also won everything on offer including a league and European cup treble. 

In 2017 he would make a shock move to Paris and in the process became the world's most expensive player at € 222 million with his transfer to Paris Saint Germain.

At 26, Neymar looks to be the next player in line to be named the world's best and has shown good consistency for club and country having scored 57 goals for Brazil.