FC Barcelona target Neymar shines for Brazil in win over Belarus

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Neymar of Brazil and Dimitry Baga of Belarus challenge for the ball during the Men's Football first round Group C Match between Brazil and Belarus on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Old Trafford on July 29, 2012 in Manchester, England (credit: Francis Bompard/Getty Images)

Neymar stole the show on Sunday as Brazil eased into the quarter-finals of the men's Olympic football tournament with a 3-1 win over Belarus.

The Santos striker scored a superb free-kick and made the other two goals, one for Alexandre Pato and the other for Chelsea's impressive £25million new signing Oscar, as the South Americans maintained their 100 per cent start at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Neymar, who is widely expected to move to Europe before his Santos contract expires in 2014, has been linked with the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Juventus, and Real Madrid in recent months.

Barca are widely seen as favourites to sign the £40million-rated 20-year-old, who dazzled at Old Trafford.

Before the game, Barcelona vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu hinted at a summer move for the forward by stating that he hopes Neymar moves to Spain at the conclusion of the Games.

"We would all like Neymar to come after the Olympics," Bartomeu told Barca supporters' groups in Morocco.

"He is a Santos player [at the moment] but I am sure Neymar will come to Europe in the future, and when that moment arrives we will be attentive so he can sign for Barcelona."

Neymar has already been compared to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi. Based on his showing in Manchester on Sunday, it is easy to see why some believe he will one day become the best player in the world.

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