Brazil kick off their quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup title when they play Serbia in Lusail, Qatar on Thursday with all eyes on Neymar who could be playing in his last finals. Here is a look at the 30-year-old's World Cup highs and lows:
Neymar burst onto the international stage in 2010 with a goal on his debut against the United States, but his career has been a rollercoaster where he has struggled to live up to high expectations and endured frustration with Brazil.
Neymar -- who scored four goals in five matches -- sustained a cracked vertebrae in Brazil's quarter-final win over Colombia and was forced to watch his team mates suffer a humiliating 7-1 semi-final thrashing by Germany.Injuries would deny Neymar again at the global showpiece in Russia in 2018 -- only two years after he delivered Brazil's first men's Olympic gold in soccer with the winning penalty in a 5-4 shootout triumph over Germany at Rio de Janeiro.
The Paris St Germain striker -- the most expensive player in the world following his record 222 million-euro switch to the French side from Barcelona in 2017 -- was also left with his reputation in tatters after being ridiculed for his haircuts, diving and tears in the tournament.Criticised for his antics off and on the pitch in the past, fans were surprised by a seemingly different Neymar ahead of the Qatar World Cup thanks to his physical and mental preparation.
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