“He is not an idol like Ronaldo or Ronaldinho”: The strange case of Neymar, Brazil’s historic scorer, a disputed idol who almost always scored against Peru

Due to his talent and a bad head, a deadly combination, Neymar has been forced to live between light and shadow, between the flashes of the cameras and the pressure of being the “successor of…”. At 31 years old, in the eye of the storm for leaving European football and going to Al Hilal in Arabia, ‘Ney’ is the true reflection that there is no justice in football. At least not always.

Last friday, The ’10’ scored a double in Brazil’s 5-1 win over Bolivia at the start of the 2026 Qualifiers and surpassed Pelé as the Canarinha’s all-time top scorer with 79 goals, two more than his idol. They tried Ronaldo (62), Romario (55) and Zico (48). None could. Although all three have the affection of the Brazilian fan. Neymar, the absolute owner of that record, not one hundred percent.

, he clarified. With the happiness of being at the top of Scratch, but with the pressure of always being the target of criticism; This is how the Brazilian star will arrive in Lima to this Tuesday’s game (9 pm at the National Stadium) against Peru, his favorite victim in South America: he scored against us six times in eleven games, between Qualifiers, Copa América and friendlies. The Bicolor is also the second team against which they celebrated the most times behind Japan (9).

For the coach Fernando Dinizat the moment with the qualifier of interim while he saves the place for Carlo Ancelotti (will arrive in 2024 after finishing the season with Real Madrid), Neymar It is “a gigantic idol” and “people have to accept it and know how to recognize it.” The coach called him knowing that the ’10’ had not played an official match since February and, according to the footballer’s own confession, he was not yet one hundred percent physically, which is why he had not yet debuted with Al Hilal.

“Thanks for trusting me. “I will always be grateful for that.”was the message of Neymarthrough their social networks with millions of followers, towards Diniz. The coach won the affection of his captain and, much in Brazil, the attacker began a campaign so that Fernando, today dividing duties between the national team and Fluminense, continues in command beyond 2024.

‘Ney”s confidence is at its peak and his smile overwhelms the Peruvian fans who welcomed him upon his arrival in Lima with the Brazilian delegation. And also in Brazil. Raisa Simplicio, Goal.com journalist, told us that in the duel against Bolivia, played in Belém, in the north of the country, the Al Hilal player received the most applause. , he explained to us.

And it is that Neymar He has not yet managed – it is not known if he will – to obtain a unanimous vote of confidence in his country. As celebrated as criticized. Football, in its case, does not do the justice that, for many around the world, it should. That is why we spoke with some Brazilian journalists to find out the reasons for this love-hate towards their captain who will lead the attack against Peru.

Click and find out everything about the Qualifiers in the El Comercio Newsletter:

Neymar, between love and hate in Brazil

He emerged in Santos when he was 17 years old. Skinny but with a devilish dribble. They did not compare him to Pelé, but it was believed that he could follow in the footsteps of the greatest. And perhaps that’s where his martyrdom began, the same one that falls on those born to be cracks: Messi had to carry Maradona’s cross until he won the Copa América at the age of 34.

For Thiago Lima, journalist for Globoesporte”, his compatriot is an idol in Brazil. However, he is not as loved as Ronaldinho, for example. The reason? “Perhaps because he did not become everything that people expected when he emerged as a great star at Santos. The decision to leave Europe and play in Saudi Arabia was also highly criticized.”reply.

In 2016, Ney gave Brazil its first Olympic gold to complete the extensive showcase of the greatest champion of all. He also won a Confederations Cup. However, he was never able to have a great World Cup: he debuted in Brazil 2014, but had to leave midway through the championship due to a spinal injury and watched from the stands the terrible 7-1 defeat by Germany; In Russia 2018, he quotes the one he came to overcoming a terrible injury; and in Qatar 2022, a tournament in which he had a sprain in his debut and recovered in record time, he left in the quarterfinals.

tells us Leonardo Bertozzi from ESPN Brazil. “In general, the Brazilian has a lot to say about the World Cup and that being the best in the Qualifiers is worth nothing if he doesn’t win the World Cup. The people of this generation got used to it badly, because in ’94 Brazil won, in ’98 they reached the final, in 2002 they won. “People expected that Neymar would lead Brazil to win another World Cup.”adds Raisa Simplicio. Ney will arrive at the 2026 World Cup at the age of 34, perhaps his last chance to lead Brazil to its sixth World Cup.

Cicero Melo, from ESPN Brazil, explains another reason why Neymar is not unanimously considered an idol despite all the talent he has on his feet. “It causes a lot of division in Brazil. Everyone recognizes that he has a lot of talent and importance, but his attitudes off the field do not please anyone. He doesn’t take care of himself, he’s not professional and he doesn’t respect anyone. In Brazil there is no middle ground: People love it or hate it!he points out. “He is an idol, but only for around 50% of Brazilians”he states with total forcefulness.

Neymar It is, as the title of his documentary on Netflix, perfect chaos. Talented but with a bad head. Even so, he is the benchmark for this Brazil that will seek this Tuesday to add its second consecutive victory in the Qualifiers against Peru.