One of the most skilful footballers at present Neymar Jr. turns 24 today. He has been in the footballing circuit for so long that it is hard to believe that he is just 24. That’s not all, in spite of having achieved so much already, we must not forget that Neymar’s peak years are yet to come.
Neymar is already the 5th highest goal scorer for the Brazilian national team and he is well on course to become the No.1 goal scorer for his country. He has already won all major club competitions with Barcelona and is seen as the natural heir to Lionel Messi. On the occasion of his 24th birthday, let us take a look at some of the most memorable moments in his footballing career so far:
Ballon d’Or Nomination
The Ballon d’Or is the highest individual honour in football and winning it is definitely the most prestigious thing for a footballer. At just 23 years of age, Neymar was voted in the Ballon d’Or top 3. He may have been piped to it by teammate Lionel Messi this time but that day is not far away when Neymar wins one of his own.
Signing for Barcelona
It is the dream for every footballer to play for either Real Madrid or Barcelona and Neymar Jr. has already fulfilled that dream. He signed for Barcelona in a big-money deal when he was just 21 and has not looked back since. What’s even more interesting is that Real Madrid are crazy for him and are constantly trying to sign him up.
Winning the treble
Winning the Champions League is always a special moment in every footballer’s career but winning the Champions League, La Liga and Copa Del Ray in the same season is even more special. In only his 2nd season with the club, Neymar managed to do that. The way Barcelona are playing this season, another treble is not far away.
Winning the Confederations Cup
Neymar helped Brazil secure their third consecutive Confederations Cup in 2013 and himself won the Golden Ball for being the best player in the tournament. Neymar looked set to guide Brasil to glory in the 2014 World Cup as well before an injury ended his and Brasil’s World Cup hopes. In spite of his injury, Neymar won the Bronze Boot for being the third highest goalscorer in the tournament.
The Puskas award
This award is given to the player who scores the “most beautiful” goal of the year and Neymar won the Puskas in 2012. Neymar collected his first Puskas award for a sensational solo goal scored in a Santos loss to Flamengo, a 5-4 thriller. Neymar ran a give and go, then dribbled through four defenders in an incredible display of skill to finish past a helpless keeper to the lower left corner.
*Image Courtesy: Google