The numbering of the Brazilian team for the World Cup has been released and, as expected, Neymar Jr. is number 10.
Even before the call-up, no other player applied for the shirt. His companions have always cited him as her rightful owner — a respect that says a lot about what he represents within the group.
Of course, not every player who wears size 10 becomes a star. But Neymar continues to be synonymous with magic in current Brazilian football.
In the collective imagination, he represents the unpredictable, the talent that enchants the fans and decides games with pure skill.
The greatest “magicians” in the history of sport have worn this shirt: Pelé, Maradona, Zico, Ronaldinho, Messi, Riquelme, Platini, Zidane, Cruyff and Rivelino.
The number 10 shirt transcended football and became a cultural symbol. Whoever wears it assumes enormous pressure: the obligation to do something different, to enchant, to create.
In Brazil, especially, the 10 carries a sacred heritage of flexibility, improvisation, disconcerting dribbling and pure joy.
Neymar is the modern essence of this tradition — the natural heir of Ronaldinho Gaúcho.
Even so, he did not reach the mythological level of Pelé or Maradona. Recurring injuries, lack of consistency in some periods and questionable choices throughout his career prevented him from consolidating an even more legendary trajectory.
Today, Neymar is not in his best physical shape and was called up with an injury. However, the World Cup has the power to rewrite stories.
If he has moments of genius, the kind that only he is capable of producing, he will be able to say goodbye to the Brazilian team in a consecrating way.
Watching… and hoping.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
