The five best games of Neymar’s career thus far

Neymar has had an illustrious career with Santos, Barcelona, PSG and the Brazilian national team. Here is a look at the very best games of his professional career thus far.

At the age of 28, Neymar has already had a career many other players dream of having.

With Santos, Barcelona and PSG, Neymar rose through the ranks and emerged as one of the premier attacking players in the world. He has tallied up for 310 club goals to go along with 19 trophies. For Brazil, the superstar winger is just as dominant with 61 goals, which ranks third behind Pele’s 77 and Ronaldo’s 62.

Not only is his dynamic play centered around being a prolific goalscorer, but the Brazilian makes his presence known on the pitch as a playmaker too; he has recorded multiple double-digit assist seasons. Sure, his career has been marred by injuries and controversies, but there is no denying his quality as a world-class player.

Fans around the world have been mesmerized by his talents ever since he made his professional debut as a teenager for Santos. The Brazilian simply possess the clutch gene that many greats before him had. From the Champions League to the Copa Libertadores tournaments, he has delivered time and time again in the biggest games this sport has to offer, including with these select five contests.

Many were considered, but here are the five very best games of Neymar’s career so far.

5. Santos vs Penarol – 2011 Copa Libertadores Final, second leg

Following Brazil’s quarterfinal exit at the 2010 World Cup, Brazilians were slowly losing hope in their national team. With Ronaldo and Ronaldinho’s best days behind them, football fans were now raising the question of just who will lead Brazil into the new decade and beyond. Robinho and Kaka were tabbed as the duo to lead Brazil, but their showings at the World Cup fueled more doubt into the uncertainty of the national team.

A year later, a teenage Neymar put much of those doubts to rest.

In just his third professional season with Santos, Neymar helped lead the team to the Copa Libertadores Final against Uruguayan giants CA Penarol. The Brazilian had already contributed to eight of Santos’ 20 goals in the tournament with five goals and three assists. But this final was his chance to prove to his home country that he can be the next generational superstar.

In the continent’s biggest tournament, Neymar proved just that. After a 0-0 first leg, Neymar turned it up a notch for the return leg at the Pacaembu Stadium in Brazil. As a forward upfront in the diamond 4-4-2, he decided to play more as a deep-lying forward, which showcased his versatility. He displayed flashes of brilliance on the ball with quick dribbles into space and by winning take-ons against defenders.

He topped it all off with a one-touch, curling goal in the second half. Santos wound up winning by a 2-1 score, which gave them their first Copa Libertadores title since 1963 when Pele led them to back-to-back continental championships.

Neymar won the award for best player of the Copa Libertadores tournament and his performance instilled hope to Brazilian fans across the country that they did indeed have yet another superstar waiting in the wings.