9. Neymar
If ninth seems low for a player like Neymar, it’s because we’re knocking him for two things.
Last season, if MSN had a third banana, it was likely Neymar, who still netted 24 La Liga goals. However, the bigger knock would be due to the lack of Champions League success for he and Barcelona.
A year after co-leading the competition with 10 goals, Neymar netted just three as Barca bowed out in the quarterfinals. It felt like Barca failed by simply reaching the quarters, and that says more about the club’s quality than anything else.
Still just 24, Neymar is a superstar who will likely be a top-three player in the world in two to three years. Whether it’s his finishing or his play making, there’s nothing Neymar can’t do on the pitch. He can be a seamless piece of the Barca machine or a lone star on a young Brazil squad.
Neymar achieved superstardom faster than anyone imagined. Will we be surprised if and when he takes the next step?