Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Franck Ribery are often cited as the top players in contention for the Ballon d'Or. However, Neymar should also be considered in that group as well. Messi's latest injury hurts his position considerably, potentially giving his Barcelona teammate a chance to step into the group of finalists. Here's why Neymar is a top contender for this year's Best Player of the Year award.
Neymar started the year with a great deal of criticism for his mediocre play for Brazil. Many questioned whether the Santos star could ever live up to his superstar and bring back the World Cup to his country. Also marring Neymar's early 2013 was the constant questioning over his impending transfer to Europe. Is he ready? Does he need to wait for the World Cup? These questions dominated the press. He eventually made the move to Barcelona and then swayed public opinion with a dominant performance in the 2013 Confederations Cup.
He scored in each of the group games against Mexico, Japan and Italy; he also added a terrific assist in the game against Mexico. He managed an assist in the semifinal win over Uruguay before scoring the second goal against Spain in the final.
His arrival in Barcelona was not ideal as he went five Spanish League games without a goal for his team. However, he did score the crucial away goal against Atletico Madrid in the Super Cup and has since scored four goals and seven assists in 11 Spanish League games. Also worthy of note is Neymar's terrific play for Brazil in recent friendlies.
Will he win? His biggest competition at this point is the trifecta of Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic and Ribery; Messi's injury is likely to put him out of the top three. Ronaldo, Ribery and Ibrahimovic have been on fire of late and will have chances to add to their credentials with World Cup playoffs coming up.
Prediction: Neymar finishes in the top five.
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