GLOBAL: Neymar: The third genius Neymar

The Copa América could provide the platform that Neymar needs to strengthen his bid towin the 2015 Ballon d'Or.

"Him and 10 more" was the headline used recently in São Paulo newspaper Folha to succinctly describe Brazil's tight victory over Peru. Everything revolved around Neymar in the opening match of the tournament for 'La Canarinha':he scored their first goal from a Dani Alves assist, he had supporters on their feet after a double flick-over left Luis Advíncula in a twist, he almost netted a second with a shot that hit the bar and he presented the winning goal on a plate to Douglas Costa in the 92nd minute."I played a good pass, but he did 70% of the work", stated the Barça star, who was chosen man of the match.

Brazil have been accused of being over-reliant on the 23-year-old, who has scored nine goals and provided three assists since the World Cup, meaning he has been involved in more than half of the team's goals in that period. Nobody else has scored more (Diego Tardelli and Roberto Firmino come next in the charts with three) or set up more (Willian and Filipe Luís also stand on three). However,after the Peru game Dunga denied claims of Brazil being a one-man team:"Neymar is decisive, but the whole team contributes. Dani Alves also got an assist, Douglas scored..."

The Copa América could be the perfect showcase for Neymar to stake his claim for this year's Ballon d'Or.The Brazilian is leading the chasing pack to dislodge Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have won each of the last seven editions, and is considered a certainty to make it on to the podium at the very least. The magician looks to be on course to emulate another Santos alumnus, the great Pelé. As the legendary Tostão, a World Cup winner at Mexico 1970, put it: "Neymar is on track to become the second best Brazilian player of all time.