After the Round of 16 exits of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazilian superstar Neymar, often considered the third best player in the world, is finally getting a chance to shine. Having won the treble at Barcelona, the Brazilian winger has forever wanted to get out of Messi's colossal shadow. Joining PSG for $263 million, he won the league and French cup in his first year. The Ligue 1 Player Of The Year is also the most fouled player at the World Cup and rightly so. He scored the opener against Mexico in the Round Of 16 and scored the second in the 2-0 win over Costa Rica in the group stages. With a single assist to his name, Neymar will look to lead Brazil to a sixth World Cup title and his first.

© Reuters

Having not been a part of the humiliation Brazil faced at the Maracana at the 2014 World Cup, Neymar is exactly what Brazil missed out on four years ago. In the build-up to the opening goal against Mexico, he took 4-5 players with him, inviting pressure but setting up a space for Willian. Neymar rolled the ball back for the Chelsea winger to run into the empty space, with Neymar running around the defence. Willian's shot cum cross was comfortably tucked in at the far post. This is the sort of play that has made Brazil tick this time around. This current Brazil team doesn't depend on Neymar, but looks up to him for inspiration.

© Reuters

After an injury scare against Marseille in February, the winger has returned to full form for the World Cup. Critics may accuse him of diving and theatricality, but neither Messi nor Ronaldo have scored in the World Cup knockout games. Neymar's presence is immense in the final quarter of the game, where Brazil lay siege to the opposition goal. He has peppered goalkeepers, with a total of seventeen shots coming in from him in four games. Four of Brazil's seven goals have come in the last quarter of the game, with three in the final five minutes. Can Neymar break the monotony of two GOATs from Portugal and Argentina this time around?