Gareth Southgate: Brazil star Neymar one to watch at London 2012

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Santos and Brazil striker Neymar, who is a transfer target for Barcelona and Real Madrid, will be the player to watch at the London 2012 Olympics, according to former England defender Gareth Southgate.

Southgate has singled out the 2011 South American Footballer of the Year as the player who could steal the show at London 2012, which is just two weeks away.

"He’s special," said the ITV pundit.

"I saw him play against Scotland at the Emirates when he scored the two goals and I’ve seen some brilliant goals he’s scored back in Brazil.

"In years to come, we could be saying that we remember when he came across to Britain and we saw him at the Olympics - or at the Riverside. He could be up there with the Ronaldos and Ronaldinhos.

"There’s speculation about him joining Barcelona, but Brazilian football is very strong on and off the pitch at present so a lot of their top players are staying there or going back there after playing abroad."

Brazil will warm up for London 2012 with a friendly against Great Britain at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium later this month.

And Southgate added: "Brazil are clearly taking this very seriously as the Olympics is not only the one major tournament they have never won, but they are preparing to host the next World Cup too.

"I think it grates with Brazil that Argentina have won it but they haven’t. You only have to see the strength of their squad to know how much this means to them, with players like Neymar, Sandro, Lucas and Oscar all involved.

"Then, when you see the over-age players they have included (Hulk, Marcelo and Thiago Silva), it just makes them even stronger."

The youngster, who has also been linked with Chelsea and Juventus, is valued at £40million.

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