Some years ago, I noticed a youngster playing in Brasil for a futbol
team called “Santos” (the former club of Pele, the legendary Black Pearl). The youngster’s name is Neymar da Silva
Santos, but he is known just as “Neymar”.
Neymar da Silva Santos Junior in action for Brasil
This happened to me before when another young South American wunderkind player by the name of Lionel
Messi caught my eye long, before he became famous for his extraordinary talent
and inborn gift of what can be done with a ball. Likewise Neymar is one of
those rare, young virtuosos to be seen on the green fields of futbol. It was not long before Pele
suggested Neymar for the Brasilian national team.
Pele: the legendary "Black Pearl" of Brasil
So I was spot on, having recognized Neymar's extraordinary, instinctive
style and talent. Once he was included in the national team of
Brasil, the world began to take notice and start to make comparisons with other great players. Pele, the
icon and great Brasilian player (who as mentioned earlier also played for Santos),
said that Neymar is better than Messi.
This prompted another futbol legend,
the Argentine Maradona, to quip “That’s
stupid. Maybe Neymar is the best player in the world, but only if you say that
Messi is from a different planet." It’s difficult to compare the two. Both great stars.
Two young stars: Neymar and Messi, at an encounter between Brasil and Argentina
Messi, from Argentina, is the elder at the
ripe age of 25, and recipient of three Golden balls and boots, as best player
of the world. While Neymar is only 21. For the past year or so, the big clubs in
Europe have been trying to get Neymar. So far he has refused because he loves Santos,
and the fans. And any club wishing to have Neymar would have to dig deep into its gold coffers. (Interestingly, his last
name is Santos, same as his club.) But there are many rumours about an imminent
transfer to Europe. (One of the clubs courting Neymar is Barcelona, the club of
Messi.) Will he leave Santos this season or next? Yesterday Neymar’s father who has played a
major role in his career said it will be 2014 before that happens. I am curious
where he will play next, and would be pleased if he chooses a European club,
because then we’ll see more of Neymar. To have both Messi and Neymar on the
same team would be the pinnacle of a magical duo. Stay tuned. Enjoy.
Henri van Bentum
Postscript: just after we posted this item, it was made official: Neymar is going to Barcelona.
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