This Santos side are on the rise, with their high-pressure, passing football starting to become familiar after the swift change in style and system pre-tournament. In midfield, a lot of pressure falls upon the shoulders of Bruno Lamas and Leandrinho to inspire the team, but in attack it has been left to Neilton.
Thin, quick and sporting a familiar mohican hair-style, the Santos number 11 bears more than a passing likeness to his idol, Neymar. Alongside the €50 million man, Victor Andrade, Neilton is the man tasked with creating opportunities and scoring goals from the front for the Peixe. Victor Andrade may be struggling to live-up the hype so far this tournament, but Neilton is slowly coming to the fore after a tentative start.
“I like to play more like a midfielder or a wide-striker at the ends, in the same-style as Neymar, with speed and skill,” he said, when describing himself in a recent interview with Terra.
Santos’ coach Claudinei Oliveira was also full of praise for the player when questioned on his star and a possible likeness with Neymar, although he was quick to play down the comparisons:
“He is a very good dribbler, good at fast changes of direction with the ball, so here there are some comparisons with Neymar.
“Physically, on the field they actually look alike, with the same body type and low centre of gravity.
“He has the ability to play from the flanks, but also to play as an attacking-midfielder. Neymar himself served in that position in the youth ranks.
“He has great dribbling skills and it is now rare for a player to have such individual quality. But comparing with Neymar is not good. Neymar is unmatched.”
Neymar himself was an unknown who scored two goals at this stage of the Copa São Paulo in 2009, before quickly exploding onto the scene to almost make Brazil’s World Cup squad just a year later. So, what are Neilton’s hopes?
“Now it is time for Neilton,” says the confident youngster. “I hope that we put in a good performance against Guarani and I can score a goal.”
