Eight months ago, Neymar scored one of the greatest goals in football history.
In Brazil's World Cup quarter-finals against Croatia, Brazil were still 0-0 before half-time in extra time, neither side created any chances, and Neymar fought almost all Croatian players between himself and the opposing goal. After assessing the situation, Neymar single-handedly beat Croatia's midfielder and then scored.
It was an extraordinary goal, with Neymar scoring in seven seconds with just five touches. It's a waltz, a great moment that's rare in the arena. However, as Croatia dragged the game into extra time and eventually eliminated Brazil in the penalty shootout stage, Neymar's goal is not particularly remembered.
There is no doubt that Neymar deserves more credit, especially considering that he scored again in Brazil's World Cup against Bolivia, breaking Pele's long-standing Brazilian goal record – Neymar scored twice in the match to bring his national team to 79 goals.
He definitely has reason to be seen as a great player.
Perhaps given that Neymar is now far from the mainstream European leagues, some would think that Neymar has hardly been called Brazil's banner figure, but this argument ignores that Neymar is one of only 13 players to win both the Copa Libertadores and the Champions League, and he is the only player among these 13 players to score in both finals.
Although Neymar's European football career has not been perfect, he may have surpassed what any other Brazilian striker has achieved. Even Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka have not achieved as much in European football as Neymar.
Ronaldo has only reached the semi-final of the Champions League once with the team and has never experienced a final. During his time at Barca in 1996/1997, his relationship with the fans was not ideal. Rivaldo's European career lasted only five years, and his final season at Barca was not ideal. Although he didn't retire until he was in his forties, it wasn't until he was 31 that he really became a world-class player.
Ronaldinho's prime, too, hasn't lasted as long as we think, with the exception of the 2013 Copa Libertadores, where legends seem to have been made before the age of 28. Finally, Kaka, as one of the most prominent players in the world, but he lost his way by moving to Real Madrid at the age of 27.
Of course, everyone will have their own opinion on Neymar's career and maybe he could have done better. But then again, when you compare his career to Ganso, who emerged from Santos at the same time, you realise what a brilliant achievement Neymar has achieved.