Graeme Souness says he wants to “see more” from Neymar despite the forward scoring in Brazil’s emphatic 4-1 win over South Korea.
Neymar’s 76th goal for Brazil – a 13th minute penalty – has moved the Paris Saint-Germain forward to within one of Pele’s all-time record goal haul.
The 30-year-old was making just his second appearance at the Qatar World Cup after missing the last two group matches against Switzerland and Cameroon with ankle ligament damage.
After Neymar’s return to the Brazil starting XI at Stadium 974, Souness believes his “showboating” is detrimental to his overall game.
“I want to see more from him,” he told ITV Sport.
“He’s got incredible ability. He was heir apparent to the throne of [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo but he’s not picked the baton up for me.
“I’m not sitting saying he isn’t an incredibly talented man. There are things about him that are easy on the eye.
“I just find it frustrating when things are going well for him, he wants to show how clever he is all the time and make it look very easy for him.
“I’m not being a killjoy because some of the football was fabulous, but I’m thinking – and he’d [Roy Keane] be the exact same if he was out there – you would’ve emptied him tonight. Some of his antics with his showboating.
“But he is great on the eye for some people.”
Roy Keane says Neymar has added a feel good factor to the Brazil team on his return from injury.
He said: “Perfect [return for Neymar]. Obviously he’s missed the last couple of games. He’s back and scored tonight. He’s had his hair cut. He’s dancing well. The feel good factor is there. The game wasn’t that physically draining for the players.
“You look at Croatia [in the quarter-finals] and they were playing extra-time and penalties, which all helps in the preparation. But again the feel good factor is there.
“They’re enjoying their football, they’re scoring goals. We saw in the first half how brilliant they are.
“Huge goal threat. Croatia would do well to stop them.”
