Earlier last year, Neymar revealed his intentions about wanting Rodrygo to inherit his stellar No 10 shirt after he retires from the football club, hinting that the 2022 tournament could be his last game.
He sent a to Rodrygo who seems like the only right person to inherit his number 10 play shirt saying; "I'm already saying goodbye to the national team and the Number 10 play shirt is all yours".
To some fans, it looks like Neymar is looking for a way to keep his legacy going which is a good idea, his name would be mentioned whenever Rodrygo does something extraordinary on the field.
However, Rodrygo did not find that amusing, the youngster confessed the gesture indeed caught him off guard.
"I was so embarrassed, I didn't even know what to do, just giggled and told him I don't want him to leave yet, I told him he must play for a little more," said Rodrygo.
When Neymar was 12 years old, he became the youngest athlete to ever sign an ambassador deal with Nike. As a result, he was named "new Meyar" by the Brazilian media.
After Rodrygo won the 2020 NxGn and was named the best teenage footballer, he shared in an interview that he couldn't find any way in which the Number 10 Shirt could benefit him if not only trigger comparison.
In his words, "I think it is very hard to see any way in which the number is a benefit because I know I will always be in comparison to Neymar."
22-year-old Rodrygo Silva de Goes is already acclaimed as a global success. Replacing Real Madrid's forward Karim Benzema who recently completed a move to Saudi Arabia, Rodrygo has been living up to expectations. Like Neymar, he loves to dribble and is a threat on the counter, however, he also appears to get easily injured.
Rodrygo has about 194 matches under his belt and has scored 37 goals. He has held Real Madrid to a 2-time La Liga championship, a Copa Del Rey, one Super Cup, a historic UEFA Champions League win, and even a FIFA Club World Cup.
However, at 22, Neymar had an impressive personal record that dwarfs that of Rodrygo De Goes. A 22-year-old Neymar Jr. already had 191 goals in a span of 191 matches. At 24, Neymar had more club goals than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could boast for club and country.
A few days ago, Neymar broke Pele's record for the most goals for Brazil after putting 2 goals past Bolivia. He had been in a tie with the Brazil legend Pele at 77 goals each but ended the match with 79 goals for the Samba boys.
It's become a common practice in the world of sports to label talented up-and-coming players as the "next" or "young" version of established stars, rather than allowing them to establish their own unique identity and legacy.
Unfortunately, this can burden players with unrealistic expectations and comparisons from fans, hindering their ability to showcase their true talents and personalities.
Rodrygo has made it clear that he does not wish to be compared to anyone. He acknowledges that being compared to an all-time football idol who has achieved so much is a difficult comparison to make. He believes that this comparison may be good and a sign that he is doing something great, but it may also be a little unhealthy due to the pressure of being compared to an iconic idol. Rodrygo feels that he is only just getting started in his career.
"I have always tried my best to avoid unhealthy comparisons. It gives to upcoming players which is very necessary. Thank God I have been able to stand my ground that I don't ever want to be compared with any player," Rodrygo has reportedly said in vehemence one time.
Rodrygo got signed by Santos in a 45 million Euros deal at the age of 17 and played in the 2019-20 season. While spectators knew he wouldn't be playing so long for the club side due to his impressive talent, not many would have guessed Real Madrid would be the ones after his signature in 2020.
Rodrygo, at the age of 22, has shown impressive skills as a forward in football. However, considering how quickly the sport changes and his young age, it's difficult to predict whether he will be able to match or exceed Neymar's performance in the Brazilian National team. '
Brazil has an abundance of talented young forwards, including Gabriel Martinelli, Joao Pedro, Morato, and Danilo, and we are eagerly anticipating more surprises from this pool of talent.