Like most teams in Brazil, Santos have been linked with a host of top players for next season, but, with no international break this week, it’s a player they already have on their books who is attacting the most focus.
On Saturday Santos, with Neymar in the starting line-up, travlled to Belo Horizonte to face Cruzeiro and it was the Brazil international who stole the show.
Neymar, 20, has often been away from his club this season with the Brazilian national team and Santos have suffered in his absence. However, against Cruzeiro on Saturday the young Brazilian forward was in superb form as he scored three goals and gained an assist as Santos ran out 4-0 winners.
Nominated last week among the 23 best players in the world, it did not take Neymar long to be the center of attention in Belo Horizonte when he put his side 1-0 in front after just 11 minutes and added a second just before half-time. Felipe Anderson added a 3rd in the second half before Neymar completed his hat-tick with 10 minutes to go.
Despite being booed by fans of Cruzeiro, the 20-year-old was by far the player on display during the match and the win see’s Santos climb two places up to 9th in the table with 46 points.
