Neymar has looked to ease expectation on his work with Barcelona and Brazil by insisting that whilst he is ready for the pressure, he is ‘no hero’.
The Brazilian, who is currently working with the Selecao ahead of his country hosting this summer’s Confederations Cup, has reflected on what role he may have to play.
“Am I a national hero? I’m not indisputable. In football you play well one day and on other days you do not,” commented the 21-year-old to the Brazilian version of GQ magazine.
“You can't hit your shots into the top corner every day. I know what role I have to play, but I play to help the team, be it with assists or goals.
“I'm used to it. Since I was little I dreamed of playing for the national team and now I'm chuffed to take on that challenge.
“But I want to insist that I'm not a hero…and I'm not a villain either if things don't go so well.
“The passion for football that exists in Brazil is incredible. I'm aware of this, and I'm not sure how things are going to turn out.
“But what I can promise is that we'll put as much effort as is humanly possible into doing the Brazil shirt proud.”
