Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 10y

'I'm ready to be the World Cup's star'

Brazil forward Neymar has told Sport Bild he is ready to be the star of the World Cup -- but stressed that it would be very difficult to ever reach the level of Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

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The 22-year-old Barcelona forward carries the hopes of the country on his shoulders as the host nation bid to win a sixth World Cup.

"I'd lie if I said I am totally cool. Of course I am tense, nervous," he said. "I hope I can come to grips with my nervousness.

"But it's not a burden for me -- I like that pressure, and I don't flee from it. I take on the responsibility because it is my big dream to win the title in my home country with the support of the Brazilian fans. I am ready to be the star of this tournament."

Neymar went on to praise Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for bringing a "new identity" to the team.

"We needed some time together on the training pitch to get to know each other better, and to improve our team play," he explained. "We presented ourselves much better during the Confederations Cup. The unity on the pitch and also off the pitch was fantastic."

This, Neymar said, would be the key to winning the World Cup, adding: "Our fans can be sure of this: 23 warriors will bend over backwards for the Selecao to win the title."

The forward has already drawn comparisons with Pele and has also been tipped to follow in the footsteps of Ronaldo and Messi as a future Ballon d'Or winner.

"To be compared to Pele is an honour," he said. "But Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi -- I can't really be compared to them. They have a reached a level which will not be reached by others.

"That's a different league, but I also have to admit that being named in the same breath as them makes me proud."

However, former Brazil international Juninho Pernambucano warned that the weight of expectation on Neymar could be too intense.

"In recent World Cups, we had Romario, Bebeto, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka. And now we have started to prepare a team from the back," the ex-Lyon midfielder told RMC.

"We have a very strong defence with Thiago Silva and David Luiz, and we have a lot fewer forwards of international class. Neymar is the leader in terms of technique, but I hope that pressure is not going to stop him having a good World Cup."

ESPN FC's Ian Holyman contributed to this report.

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