Carlos: Neymar can lead Brazil World Cup title

CAIRO –14 November 2017: “Brazil is set to win the title in Russia next year and Neymar can lead Brazil to its sixth title in the tournament,” former World Cup winner Roberto Carlos said on Tuesday.

Carlos, who helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup and the Copa America in 1997 and 1999, believes that his country recovered from a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the tournament hosted by Brazil.

"The team has been reorganized since the debacle against Germany and we also have a new coach in Tite, hence I am confident the situation has vastly improved," he told a news conference in Serbia's capital.

"We have world-class players and team leaders in Neymar, Willian and Thiago Silva. They are experienced and I am confident that Brazil has it in them to win the World Cup.

As a Brazilian, naturally I want Brazil to win the World Cup. But Germany, Spain and Argentina will also be among the top favorites and it will take a lot of hard work to capture the title," he added.

Carlos said Neymar was right to move from Barcelona to Paris St. Germain during the summer transfer period and believed the talented striker would shine in Russia next year.

"I expect Neymar to become the world's best player very soon," he said.

"There is a lot of debate going on, whether he should have moved to Paris St Germain from Barcelona and I think he did the right thing. It was his personal decision and I think it will be easier for him to flourish at PSG, whereas that was more complicated with Lionel Messi at Barcelona or would have been at Real Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo.

At PSG, he is the benchmark. He is a great person too, I am in touch with him regularly and I am also convinced he will have an outstanding World Cup," Carlos concluded.