Top five débutantes to watch out for at Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup

Neymar Da Silva

Neymar of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Jorge Andujar Moreno ‘Coke’ of Sevilla FC during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on September 14, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

At 18 years of age, he was touted to be the next ‘Pele’. He was recognised by Pele himself as an excellent player. At 19 years, he won the South American Footballer of the Year 2011 and was nominated for the Ballon d’or for the next two years.

He won the Puskas award in 2012 for a brilliant goal for Santos. A move to Europe was always on the cards, and it did happen this summer when he moved to Camp Nou after a staggering £57 million transfer. All through his younger days he was often regarded as a ‘YouTube star’, who just show-boated every time he stepped on the pitch.

But he put all those doubts to bed in the Confederations Cup in Brazil this summer. Having started every match in the tournament, he virtually carried the team on his shoulders and won the Cup for Brazil. He was brilliant throughout, scoring four goals and assisting one more. Known for his acceleration, vision, passing and above all, his dribbling skills, he won the Golden Ball award at the Confederations Cup.

Soon enough, he sealed a move to Barcelona, and will relish the opportunity of playing alongside the world’s best players. His dribbling and close control does remind you of a certain Ronaldinho tearing through Spanish defences in a Barcelona shirt. Brazil 2014 may just be the time when he takes on the world and brings himself to the level of Ronaldo and Messi. This time he will be playing the World Cup in his home, and it is time Brazil unleash their new star.