Parreira: Neymar is a class apart

Former Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has stated that he believes Neymar has what it takes to become a true superstar and follow in the footsteps of Pelé.

The 20-year-old Santos starlet is the most talked about player in the game today and is continually being linked with a move to Europe, with many reports claiming Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus are all keeping tabs on him.

Neymar recently competed in the London Olympic Games with the Seleção, ultimately earning a silver medal, and was one of the stand-out players of the tournament.

Parreira is confident that the attacker will live up to his high expectations and excel for Brazil at the 2014 World Cup.

The former Fluminense boss said: "In Brazil there are always emerging talents and promising players. In my 40 years of football I must have heard someone say 'he’ll be the new Pele' dozens of times and then they fall short.

"That’s valid for whole generations; you have to prove yourself on the pitch, when it counts. This generation is promising and talented but we’ll only see what they’re really made of come 2014.

"Neymar’s involvement makes this, perhaps, one of the most gifted crops we’ve had in recent years, though. He’s a class apart."

Neymar signed a new contract with the Peixe in December 2011, which includes a buy-out clause of €65 million.