Barcelona and Brazil forward Neymar wants to take his country to victory in the World Cup rather than claim any of the tournament’s individual awards.
Neymar is likely to play in the competition’s first game tonight as Brazil play Croatia and said at a Press conference that if Brazil are to succeed, they will need the support of the fans.
“Players expect a lot from the fans. They are the 12th player, or maybe the main player,” AS reports Neymar as saying.
“If your support is behind us, it will be difficult to beat the Brazil team.
“As [Coach Felipe Scolari] says, it’s time. It’s time that all Brazilians hope. I want the day to go faster, but at the same time I’m happy to be here. I hope to help my team in the best way possible.
“I don’t want to be the best player and top scorer of the tournament. I just want the trophy. What I want now is to be the champion with my team.
“I am ready to help my teammates. No one plays alone. We are 11 players on the field and everyone knows their role and what to do. The team can go far.”
Neymar is to wear the famed No.10 shirt and reflected on what it means to follow in the footsteps of some of football’s most celebrated names.
“It’s a big honour to wear the 10 of Brazil. With the first shirt there’s nothing to discuss, it will be for my mother,” he revealed.
“Romario and Ronaldo are the players who inspire me in the World Cup. I often think about the 2002 tournament.
“There are other players who inspire me outside of Brazil, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
“I remember little about 2002. I know I cut my hair like Ronaldo and I went to celebrate at my grandmother’s house, but I remember little.”
Neymar also spoke of what it means to play under the Coach of the successful 2002 team, Scolari.
“I’ve worked with a lot of quality Coaches and I appreciate everything [Scolari] gave to me,” he said.
“From childhood he was at Palmeiras, then the national team. I always saw him as a winner.
“Now I hope to absorb the experience he has both personally and professionally.”
