SPORTS
As Brazil geared up for the Copa America last month, a Neymar-induced pall of doom and gloom threatened to scupper the host nation's chances before a ball had even been kicked.
As Brazil geared up for the Copa America last month, a Neymar-induced pall of doom and gloom threatened to scupper the host nation's chances before a ball had even been kicked.
The unrelenting circus surrounding the captain and talisman of the Selecao had included lurid rape revelations before an ankle injury in a warm-up game left the Paris Saint-Germain striker on crutches and out of the tournament.
It was an eerie echo of Brazil's disastrous 2014 World Cup on home soil when Neymar was injured in the quarter-finals and missed his team's traumatic 7-1 humiliation against eventual champions Germany in the last four.
Yet as this year's Copa campaign unfolded, Brazil demonstrated that it might have finally cast off the longstanding criticisms of "Neymar-dependency." While Neymar's creative spark was sorely missing in a dour 0-0 draw with Venezuela during the group stage, Brazil gradually grew into the tournament.
And by the time captain, Dani Alves hoisted the trophy -- Brazil's first major honour in 12 years -- following the 3-1 victory over Peru in the final at the iconic Maracana stadium on Sunday, Neymar had at last been shoved aside as the Copa's major talking point.
What's more, Brazil had proved in finishing with the tournament's best attack, the best defence, the top player in Alves, top scorer in Everton and top goalkeeper in Alisson -- a clean sweep of every award going -- that they could thrive without Neymar.
Its importance was not lost on Liverpool's Alisson, no matter how diplomatically he put it.
"It was difficult without Neymar because he's very talented and also brings a lot to the collective," said Alisson.
"It was important to win to show the strength of the group.
"Sometimes he gets all the attention and we're a bit left out... but he's much loved."
- Led by example -
Crucially, two of the players thrust into the spotlight by Neymar's absence and indiscretions sparkled in the limelight.
In May, Alves was named captain for the tournament after Neymar hit the headlines -- pre-rape allegations -- for the wrong reasons with his club, picking up European and domestic bans for petulant behaviour.
He had an altercation with a fan after PSG lost the French Cup final to Rennes while the month before he insulted a match official after the French side's Champions League elimination by Manchester United.
Alves led by example and was named player of the tournament, while his skill and trickery in starting the move that led to the first goal in Brazil's 2-0 semi-final victory over Argentina was sublime.
The other player to take his chance was Everton, the crowd-pleasing winger who regularly lifted fans onto their feet with his direct running and determined dribbling.
He finished the Copa as top scorer and a star for the present rather than the future.
But he may never have been given the chance to shine had Neymar been there.
As it was, Everton was not even one of Brazil's starting forwards against either Bolivia or Venezuela, only coming on as a substitute in those matches before his performances earnt him a starting berth from then on.
Had Neymar been available, Everton may have found himself further down the pecking order and given fewer opportunities to impress.
Instead, the Gremio forward established himself as the undisputed crowd favorite.
He was the only one of three domestic-based players in the 23-man squad to get a game during the tournament and drew the biggest cheer every time his name was announced or he touched the ball.
In Everton -- who at 23 is a rumored target for European giants Manchester City, Manchester United and PSG -- Brazil have perhaps found a long-term replacement to the troubled and flawed Neymar as the country's football icon.
For some fans, like Elaine Vieira Pessoa de Sousa, Brazil don't need Neymar any more.
"We're champions! And the best thing is that it was without Neymar," the 43-year-old told AFP from the streets of Sao Paulo as she celebrated Brazil's victory.
"This proves that we don't rely on him any more, it's not all down to him.
"This is Brazil, no matter who plays."
‘Aiyyashi ka adda…’: Salman Khan’s farmhouse doesn’t belong to him but…
India beat Japan 2-0, to face China in final of Women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey
A gamble with radiation: The uncalculated risks of prolonged spaceflight
Roger Federer pens emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal ahead of his retirement
Dead man's eye goes missing at Patna hospital, doctors allege 'rats ate it off'
FIR against stand-up comic Yash Rathi for using derogatory words in his show at IIT Bhilai
How superstar Zeenat Aman was instrumental in making a Bollywood hero to watch out for
Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh lease a new Mumbai apartment; monthly rent is whopping Rs...
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, likely to take over as Iran's Supreme Leader?
Day before Maharashtra voting, BJP’s Vinod Tawde accused of distributing cash, poll body files case
When will ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule be announced? Know latest update here
BIG update on gold loans, RBI to soon bring this option to reduce lending gaps, it is...
Effective E-Commerce Promotion Strategies to Drive More Sales Revenue
Meet Shivraj, Aishwarya Rai's bodyguard, who earns more than CEOs, his whopping salary is...
Mahesh Babu subtly backs Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan amid feud with Dhanush; here's how
Vladimir Putin to visit India says Russian government's spokesperson, official dates to be...
Vladimir Putin's BIG decision on nuclear weapons, threatens to use nukes against West if...
Virat Kohli’s bat being sold in Australia for THIS whopping price, watch video here
Apple quietly discontinues this popular iPhone accessory, once considered necessity, it is…
Air pollution: Delhi govt seeks centre's nod for artificial rain amid 500 AQI
Meet man, college dropout, now one of India's richest, burning Rs 250 crore a month to ace quick...
Cutting costs, boosting control: Viharika Bhimanapati's AI-powered ad-tech revolution
Viral video shows group of men stealing spotlight at wedding with their crazy dance moves
Moon Moon Sen's husband, Riya Sen and Raima Sen's father, Bharat Dev Varma, passes away in Kolkata
Dev Anand was 'desperately' in love with THIS superstar, got jealous when Raj Kapoor 'kissed' her
Shocking! Woman travelling from Kuala Lumpur found dead on Chennai-bound international flight
OpenAI in legal trouble: Delhi HC summons ChatGPT company over ANI copyright infringement allegation
This day that year: India’s heartbreaking loss to Australia in 2023 World Cup final
Centre acknowledges existential threats posed by big tech to digital news media and credible news
Sushmita Sen’s ex boyfriend Rohman Shawl breaks his silence on their relationship: ‘We are still…’
Did you know Nayanthara's real name is Diana? Here’s why she changed it
Mahindra's plan to pick up 50% stake in this European company stalled due to...
Relief for Malayalam actor Siddique as SC grants anticipatory bail in rape case
Meet woman who rejected high-paying job offer from abroad, cracked UPSC exam with AIR...
Banks Holiday November 2024: Banks to remain closed in THIS state tomorrow, know why
Israeli airstrike hits central Beirut near key government buildings and embassies
'Glad to have met...': PM Modi meets Italian PM Meloni on sidelines of G20 Summit
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 19, 2024 Live Updates: Check lucky winning numbers
Nayanthara Beyond The Fairytale: Who is Nayanthara's ex-lover who asked her to quit cinema?
This stray dog becomes popular among tourists after it climbs Giza Pyramid, watch
Savarkar defamation case: Pune court summons Rahul Gandhi on December 2
IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli aims to surpass Cheteshwar Pujara in elite Border-Gavaskar Trophy list
‘He'll be very…’: Sunil Gavaskar warns Australia of Virat Kohli ahead of BGT 2024-25
Meet woman who turned family business into Rs 8500 crore empire, not from IIT, IIM, she is...
Meet woman, who cracked IIT and UPSC exam in same year, became IAS officer, was inspired by...
Delhi pollution soars to highest level, AQI breaches 500-mark
Ex-Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh injured after car attacked with stones in Katol
Kanguva box office collection day 5: Suriya, Disha Patani, Bobby Deol film earns Rs 56 crore
'Always a delight': PM Modi meets Joe Biden at G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro