‘Neymar can make the difference for Brazil’: Premier League star Willian

DUBAI: Opinion is often divided among football followers when it comes to Neymar.

Alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona from 2014-17, the forward was part of a triumverate to rival the game’s most skilful and potent attacks.

They amassed a combined total of 363 goals, 173 assists and trophies aplenty before Neymar was sold when Paris Saint-Germain paid his 222 million euros buyout clause.

The transfer - and still a world record - in 2017 has perhaps not been the success story he, nor the club envisaged.

While dominant in domestic competition, the Qatari-owned French side have yet to lift the Champions League, despite an array of talent that also includes Kylian Mbappe and Messi after his arrival from Barcelona in 2021, and Neymar's performance and contribution questioned by critics.

And for Brazil; does Neymar’s name stand deservedly alongside the all-time greats if he does not lead them to World Cup success?

Despite his 75 international goals - just two shy of the legendary Pele’s record mark - in 121 appearances, the 30-year-old has only won gold at the 2016 Olympics with the national team in major competition.

Injury saw him miss out when Brazil infamously lost the 2014 World Cup semi-final to Germany 7-1 in their home tournament, before they bowed out at the quarter-final stage in Russia four years later with defeat to Belgium.

At the Copa America, Willian replaced the injured Neymar before the Selecao won the 2019 tournament, and they lost last year’s final to Argentina last year even with their talisman in their ranks.

But Willian, capped 70 times by his country, has no doubt about Neymar’s quality or influence for club or country.

“Neymar is an unbelievable player, he can make the