While one Brazilian icon exits the soccer stage, a future one took another step toward entering the limelight after a stellar showing in the CONMEBOL Under-20 championships in Peru.
Neymar scored two goals in the finale on Saturday -- a 6-0 thrashing of Uruguay -- to capture the tournament's golden boot with nine goals, outlasting his closest competition by five scores. He also won the tournament's "Best Player" honors.
By finishing atop the table and winning the U-20 Copa Sudamericano for the third consecutive time (11th overall), Brazil clinched spots in this summer's FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics. Uruguay, which finished in second, will also take part in both tournaments, and Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia (the host) will each participate in the U-20 World Cup.
As a result of finishing third at the CONMEBOL championships, Argentina will not be a part of the London Olympics and will not get to defend its 2008 gold medal, which it won with this dream team.
Impressed by Neymar's performance? Do you see Brazil as a no-brainer favorite in this summer's U-20 World Cup? Surprised Argentina didn't qualify for the Olympics?
Share your thoughts below.
