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Cape Town - Brazilian legend Ronaldo has backed Neymar to lead Brazil glory at the upcoming FIFA World Cup on home soil.
The 22-year-old has undergone a transformation after finally leaving boyhood club Santos for Spanish giants Barcelona prior to last season, in a blockbuster transfer that turned into a scandal.
Injuries prevented him from setting La Liga alight, with only 13 goals in the league and UEFA Champions League but 'El Phenomenon' believes the forward will step up and deliver at the tournament.
"He's very good," Ronaldo told the press. "I'm sure he's very calm, he can handle the pressure well.
"Neymar is an incredible guy, a great player, a youngster like I was in the first World Cup I played, which was in '98. In '94 I was even younger but I didn't play.
"He's a player who's shown that over and over."
He added: "We have high hopes that he will be the best player in the tournament and that Brazil will be champions."
The hosts begin their tournament campaign against Croatia in Sao Paulo on Thursday, June 12.
The 22-year-old has undergone a transformation after finally leaving boyhood club Santos for Spanish giants Barcelona prior to last season, in a blockbuster transfer that turned into a scandal.
Injuries prevented him from setting La Liga alight, with only 13 goals in the league and UEFA Champions League but 'El Phenomenon' believes the forward will step up and deliver at the tournament.
"He's very good," Ronaldo told the press. "I'm sure he's very calm, he can handle the pressure well.
"Neymar is an incredible guy, a great player, a youngster like I was in the first World Cup I played, which was in '98. In '94 I was even younger but I didn't play.
"He's a player who's shown that over and over."
He added: "We have high hopes that he will be the best player in the tournament and that Brazil will be champions."
The hosts begin their tournament campaign against Croatia in Sao Paulo on Thursday, June 12.
