Neymar, undoubtedly one of the most talented footballers of his generation, has had a remarkable career thus far. However, when it comes to his international success with the Brazil senior team, the number of trophies he has won is surprisingly low. In fact, Neymar has only won one major international trophy with the national team – the 2013 Confederations Cup.
The Confederations Cup, often seen as a precursor to the World Cup, is a prestigious tournament where the champions of each confederation, along with the host nation and the World Cup champions, compete for the title. In 2013, Brazil hosted the tournament, and Neymar played a pivotal role in leading his team to glory.
I remember watching Neymar’s performances during that tournament, and he was simply outstanding. He scored four goals throughout the competition, including a stunning long-range strike against Japan in the opening match. His skill, speed, and ability to create chances for his teammates were on full display, earning him the tournament’s Golden Ball award for the best player.
Brazil, guided by Neymar’s brilliance, went on to win the final against Spain, who were the reigning World Cup champions at the time. The victory was a significant achievement for Neymar and the entire Brazilian team, as it showcased their potential and provided a glimpse of what was to come in the future.
Since then, Neymar has had several opportunities to add more international trophies to his collection. He has participated in two Copa America tournaments (2015 and 2019) and one World Cup (2014). However, in each of these competitions, Brazil fell short of claiming the title.
In the 2015 Copa America, Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Paraguay in a penalty shootout. It was a disappointing exit for Neymar and his teammates, as they had high hopes of winning the tournament on home soil.
Four years later, in the 2019 Copa America, Brazil once again reached the final. However, Neymar was sidelined due to an injury and could only watch from the sidelines as his team defeated Peru to clinch the title. While he played a crucial role in guiding Brazil to the final stages of the competition, the absence of a trophy win was a disappointment for Neymar individually.
The World Cup in 2014 was another opportunity for Neymar to taste international success. Brazil reached the semifinals but suffered a devastating 7-1 defeat against Germany, ultimately finishing in fourth place. Neymar’s tournament was cut short due to a back injury, which further dampened Brazil’s chances of lifting the trophy.
It is worth mentioning that Neymar has also represented Brazil in other tournaments, such as the Olympic Games and the Copa America Centenario. While he was influential in helping Brazil win a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics, the tournament is not officially recognized as a senior trophy.
Neymar’s international trophy cabinet may not be as extensive as one would expect for a player of his caliber. Despite his numerous individual accolades and successes at the club level, he has only won one major international trophy with the Brazil senior team, the 2013 Confederations Cup. However, Neymar’s talent and hunger for success continue to drive him, and there may still be opportunities for him to add more trophies to his collection in the future.