It’s easy to forget that Neymar is still just 24-years-old.
It feels like the Brazilian captain has been around forever, so we often take his incredible talent for granted. He may have more than 70 international caps to his name, but the Barcelona forward is still finding new ways to excite us.
After a disastrous World Cup campaign in 2014 was followed up by quarter-final exit in last year’s Copa America and a group-stage humiliation in this year’s tournament, Brazilian football fans were left clinging to the Olympics for a chance of glory.
So important are the Olympic Games – which Brazil have never won – that Neymar actually sat out this year’s doomed Copa America campaign in order to be fresh for the home tournament.
And although they limped through the group stages, Neymar gave his fans a sight of what they’ve been missing for the last few years as he took control of their semi-final tie against Honduras after just 15 seconds.
Not a bad start. Neymar & co mean business…. #Rio2016 Watch: https://t.co/B6tG3Ni4dR https://t.co/0cOLEhlDpT
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 17, 2016
As you can see at the end of that clip, however, the acrobatics involved in scoring the goal left Neymar clutching his ribs.
And although he returned to the field after receiving treatment, fans were left fearing for the worst when he was stretchered off.
Thankfully, they were able to laugh about it once he returned to the game.
But the Brazilian captain was getting some pretty tough treatment from his opponents, not that it stopped him from setting up two more goals before the half was over as well as a third in the second half.
Now that Neymar has scored one and assisted two goals can he be subbed off before he's killed? Thanks. Xoxo
— Diana Kristinne (@DianaKristinne) August 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/ElFenomxno/status/765950057267036160
"Where's Neymar playing, mum?"
"Everywhere, son. Everywhere"
— Jack Lang (@jacklang) August 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/jperkovic93/status/765949094737117184
Neymar returns to the field only 60 seconds after being taken off the field on a stretcher. Soccer sure is different.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) August 17, 2016
And Manchester City fans were excited to see that the man who got on the end of Neymar’s two first-half assists was none other than their newest signing, Gabriel Jesus – who will join up with City once the Brazilian season ends in January.
While he’s not nailed on for a starting role, Jesus’s ability to get onto a cross means he could be Pep Guardiola’s saviour if Sergio Aguero goes down at some point in the season and fails to rise again.
https://twitter.com/_theredviper/status/765962513758429184
https://twitter.com/CityMatthew/status/765841042071519232
https://twitter.com/FutbolMads/status/765963430683639808
Gabriel Jesus will arrive at City in January when we're a fully oiled Guardiola machine. He could be the surprise package that we need then.
— BlueMoonRising (@BMRising) August 17, 2016
It’s good to have the football back.
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