Neymar frees in the World Cup and looks for a goal in the knockout stage

Neymar's move to Russia was of a different tone from the pressure on the attacker in Brazil, either through the press or in social networks, where it is common to see strong criticisms about the behavior of the star. Wherever he went, the striker had an elongated red carpet as the athlete of the most elated Brazilian national team, and that was no different in Samara, where Brazil faces Mexico Monday for the 16th of the World Cup at 11am (Brasilia)

Among the Russians, he is almost unanimous. The impression is that locals only know the shirt 10 of the Brazilian team. They shout their name, ask questions about it, shake for a photo or any contact as they approach the player. Neymar, when it is possible, tries to reciprocate. Upon his arrival in Samara, he broke the security protocol and stopped to meet two boys who were looking for an autograph at the hotel. The affection is the same with the Brazilians in the country of the Cup. The support has been general, and emphasized by everyone in the national team, but has always received a special affection, his shirt is pulled to the maximum, and even the music was created exclusively for him. The one who had the most games with a positive scenario for Neymar in the Worlds from now on, the falls of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: "Cristiano came to walk, Messi is bading, we have Neymar", is the From one of the many songs that packed the Brazilian part in Russia.

The art of drying worked. The best opponents of Brazil in their dream of winning the Bola de Ouro, Argentina and Portugal bid farewell to the World Cup last Saturday, with defeats respectively against France and Uruguay . They paved the way for Neymar, who can regain strength in the match as he is the protagonist of the World, having been left out with the operation of the right foot that kept him away for three months. It should be remembered that for many years, the Cup has been decisive in the prize, just remember from 2006, when the Italian defender Fábio Cannavaro was chosen the best in the world after the title Azzurra.

Neymar is backed by fans, excited and 100% physically fit, as the technical commission designed for the knockout stage, but will not have an easy life in Russia. From the beginning, he faces an indigestible adversary and seeks an unprecedented career goal. All five in the Cup were in the first phase, never in the knockout game.

In this Cup, he scored against Costa Rica in the second game, a 2-0 win. In 2014, in Brazil, he hammered twice in his debut against Croatia (3-1) and in the third match against Cameroon 4-1). He could have done more, but there was Mexico. In the second game of this Cup, the attacker tried well, but stopped at goalkeeper Ochoa, inspired in the match against the Brazilian team that finished 0-0 Ochoa will start this second and wants to make Mexico the stone in Neymar's shoe for the third time

The first and most traumatic took place in 2012. Neymar was the biggest symbol of the generation who was looking for the unprecedented gold medal at the London Olympics, but the Seleção was defeated 2-1 in Mexico in the final. The title has transformed Mexican football, which has come to believe more in its potential. Of this match, Brazil still has four in the World Cup in Russia: Neymar, Thiago Silva, Marcelo and Danilo. Mexico has seven: Hector Herrera, Jesus Corona, Oribe Peralta, Marco Fabián, Javier Aquino, Giovanni dos Santos and Raúl Jiménez.

Time has pbaded, Neymar led Brazil to gold in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and now he is ready for the most important title of his career. In addition to the fan support, he has Commander Tite, who sees his star back to the best he can offer.

– He played a lot, played too much (against Serbia). I told him, he knows it, we know the price he paid to get back to that level. He has resumed his maximum level, has played a lot. Played in a similar way. It's very difficult. When I said that there was need (of five games to reach fullness), he played a lot. He lowered himself to help the side mark, the precise transition, finished in the individual throw.

Neymar flies in the eyes of coaches, and there are no more of his main opponents on the way. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have shared the Golden Ball since 2007. They are still favorites this year for what they have featured in the season. But if the Seleção 10 shirt leads Brazil to hexa, it will be difficult to vote against. Whether you want the critics or not