Neymar's birthday surprise promises to shock Messi and Mbappe

Neymar is aiming for glory and redemption with Brazil in Qatar. He will be 31 years old in February and Qatar could be his final bid to help his nation win a record-extending sixth World Cup title. Neymar's career has been a rollercoaster where high expectations have been frequently followed by disappointment and frustration. He is the most expensive player in soccer history but has perhaps struggled to fulfil his true potential, either with his clubs or with the national team.

Often criticised for being immature, self-centred, and generating as many headlines on the field as off it, Neymar has seemingly knuckled down this season, paying more attention to his physical and mental preparation ahead of the World Cup. He decided to end his vacation a week early to start training with Paris St Germain in the close season and is having an outstanding campaign so far, among the leading players for goals and assists combined in Europe’s five major leagues.

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One could argue that his relationship with the World Cup over the last 12 years reflects his entire career – a tale of hope, disappointment, controversy, pain and underachievement. For the tournament in South Africa in 2010 he was left out of the final squad by coach Dunga, who didn't believe the flamboyant 18-year-old forward who had just broken through with Santos was ready for the big stage. Four years later, he was an international superstar, playing alongside Lionel Messi at Barcelona. 

Brazil is ready

Yet recently, others have surged to stardom in European soccer with the rise of young Brazilian players like Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Raphinha, Bruno Guimaraes and others. In Qatar, Neymar will for the first time have a supporting cast of the quality that Brazil was used to in the past. It is the perfect opportunity for him to achieve glory and redemption by helping Brazil win the World Cup for the first time in two decades.