Criticisms against Brazilian rising star and team captain Neymar is nothing new. His self-assured and somewhat brash brand of play have always been misconstrued as showboating and disrespectful to his opponents. Many football enthusiasts hate him for that and what he does to opposing teams, but recently even his countrymen are beginning to pass judgment on the hot-headed 23-year-old.
Seleção goalkeeper Jefferson, 32, is quick to defend his young team leader, saying that he deserves more respect from the fans, especially from fellow Brazilians themselves.
"Neymar has assumed a fundamental role in the team. He is the leader, our captain. He is well above average and makes all the difference for us and Barcelona," Jefferson told reporters, via Goal. "In Brazil he is still being criticized, which is something I don't understand."
Jefferson was also quick to say that Neymar is "destined to become" one of the greatest football players of all time. The Daily Mail Online's Pete Jenson even suggested that Neymar "will one day wear Lionel Messi's crown" as the top player of the world.
Neymar's accomplishments at such a young age make it easy to tell that he would eventually become one of the all-time greats. His career 190 club goals and 44 international ones makes him one of the youngest and fastest to achieve such feat.
For Brazil, Pelé still tops the all-time goals scored list with 77 followed by Ronaldo's 62, Romario's 55, and Zico's 48. Neymar is set to break Zico's record anytime now, and he still has a lot of football left in him.
The problem is his youth and immaturity make him do what he does on the court, turning off even the fans of this own nation. If Neymar continues with his supposed brazenness, then people may look beyond his talent and into his character as what is happening with Floyd Mayweather Jr. right now in boxing.