Next in Line: 2. Neymar Junior

When he made his move from Santos to Barcelona for €57 million everyone knew this kid was something special. It didn't take the young Brazillian to long to become most people’s bet to succeed Messi and Ronaldo at the top. Fast forward to the summer of the 2017/2018 season and with a world record transfer fee of €222 million Neymar Junior might have opened a can of worms that can never be closed again. Neymar more than doubled the previous transfer record and sent the market into a frenzy as clubs started paying exponentially inflated transfer fees to get whomever they wanted.

Already a world class player Neymar provides more than just goals contributing with assists on a regular basis. The Brazilian who scored his 100th career goal on his 20th birthday has all the attributes that make him viable candidate to become the best in the world. After making his world record move to the French capital Neymar has finally stepped out of the shadow of Lionel Messi and taken up the role as the team talisman. In Paris Saint Germain, Neymar has joined a big fish in a small pond as winning the French League is like taking candy from a baby for PSG. I do feel that it was the right thing to do for Neymar to move away from Barcelona, however seeing the superstar play in a more competitive league would have been even better. Neymar’s goal and assist numbers speak for themselves as the Brazilian is involved in a goal almost every game (210 contributions in 212 European football games).

Neymar is also well on his way to break Pele’s Brazilian goal scoring record as he is on 53 goals only 24 behind the legend’s 77. He will be hoping to lead the Brazil side to victory in the World Cup later this year. After Neymar got injured in the previous tournament, his side suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to the eventual winners Germany and Brazil will be hoping for a more favourable outcome in Russia this year. If Neymar can lead his country to victory in Russia later this year he will achieve something that both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have too this point, failed to do.

Neymar’s world record transfer fee also comes with the expectation of delivering the Champions League to PSG and after their 3-1 first leg defeat, the Brazilian superstar will have to pull out all the stops to achieve it this season. However, with Neymar inspiring Barcelona’s exceptional comeback against his current employers in last season’s tournament PSG fans will know that the contest is far from over.

With Neymar already setting the world alight it should only be a matter of time before he holds the title of The Best footballer worldwide. The Brazilian certainly seems like the logical favorite to become the first Balon D’Or/World Footballer of the year after Messi and Ronaldo who have been trading the award for the past 10 years. In my opinion Neymar is already one of the world's best but is carrying an awful lot of expectation from both his club and country. However, the possibility of Neymar meeting all these expectations is a very exciting prospect for all football fans.

What do You think? Will Neymar succeed Ronaldo and Messi? Will PSG make a comeback in the second leg? Can Neymar lead Brazil to World Cup glory?

Sources:

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/sports/article/neymar-turns-it-on-as-seven-up-psg-destroy-celtic
https://starsunfolded.com/neymar/
http://www.squawka.com/players/neymar/stats#total-chances-created#barcelona#spanish-la-liga#23#season-2014/2015#136#all-matches#1-38#type
http://www.espnfc.com/player/132948/neymar?season=2013