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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Michael Butler

Wild scenes as Neymar gets a shot at redemption and glory with Brazil

Neymar is shown on a screen to confirm his selected for Brazil's World Cup squad
Journalists celebrate at the big Neymar unveiling. Photograph: Ricardo Moraes/Reuters

HE SHALL GO TO THE BALL

Neymar is Brazil’s record goalscorer but hasn’t played for the national team for three years. He was part of the greatest attack of all time – MSN – but never won a Ballon d’Or. A generational talent who arguably butchered his career with money-fuelled moves to PSG and Saudi Arabia. After too many off-pitch controversies to count – only this month, he slapped a Santos teammate, Robinho Jr, in training – Neymar will be remembered as much for knack (including the injury that kept him out of that 7-1 defeat by Germany – as he will for the nutmegs, the rainbow flicks, the Remontada heroics, his Pausa, Bigger Cup triumphs, and Puskas Award goal. The overarching feeling for many is “yes, what a player”, but also, “what a waste”.

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