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Could Neymar be the breakout star in Russia?



Neymar playing for Brazil in the 2014 World Cup (Pictured above).
Neymar holding the ball in a game for PSG in 2018.


Much has changed in the span of these 4 years, Neymar Jr. has developed from a skilled, erratic young talent to a World-Class star for both club and country. He left Barcelona to leave Messi's shadow and have the chance to display to the world his true talent and leadership in a club like P$G. He secured the bag ( €222 million), or around $263 million better put, and linked up with Uruguayan Edison Cavani, and French wonderkid Kylian Mbappe, to make up the most skilled attacking trio in the world, in my opinion. Neymar has proved to be worth every dime, tallying 24 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for PSG until now. 

As for country, Neymar was the focal point of Brazil's impressive World Cup Qualifying campaign. Scoring 6 goals and 8 assists, he was the leader in assists for the entire campaign, and tied for 6th in goals. Nothing more to stay that the stats don't show, he was Brazil's main star and the offense ran through him; he constantly ran down the left baseline and made dangerous cuts towards the goal, deciding to shoot to goal or setting up teammates such as Gabriel Jesus (7 goals) and Paulinho (6 goals). 2017 was Neymar's year for both Barca/ PSG and for the national team. And he'll look to continue tearing it up in 2018

Brazil got placed in a relatively easy group, drawing Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia as opponents. I do not see Brazil having too hard time in this group, and letting Neymar run wild and tallying both goals and assists. Neymar has the chance to build on top of 2014's performance, where he scored 4 goals and had 1 assist, and this year with a larger role and experience on his side, Neymar will be expected to lead Brazil far and have his breakout moment that will elevate him to football's hierarchy, behind Messi and Ronaldo.  
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