<p> Brazil striker Neymar, despite his young age, has what it takes to handle the pressure of a World Cup finals on home soil, according to football great Pele.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 22-year-old forward joined Barcelona from Santos last year on a five-year deal, scoring his first La Liga goal in late September as he slowly bulked up for the demands of European football.<br /><br />"He is a great player," Pele, a triple World Cup winner, told a news conference at the Paris City Hall on Monday as the World Cup trophy was displayed in the French capital.<br />"He is gaining experience in Europe, where the game is tougher than in Brazil.<br /><br />"For him (Barca) is a good opportunity. He will come back to Brazil with some experience." Neymar has produced some inspirational performances for Brazil, scoring 30 goals in 47 matches – including a hat-trick in last week's 5-0 friendly win over South Africa. Brazil last hosted the World Cup in the 1950 when they were beaten by Uruguay in the final – a defeat, Pele said, still played on the mind of Brazilians.<br />"It will be a big pressure. It will be our revenge. The idea is to wipe away that memory, hopefully this year," he said.<br /><br />Brazil were drawn in Group A with Mexico, Cameroon and Croatia, against whom they will open proceedings on June 12 in Sao Paulo. Pele, a special advisor of the World Cup organising committee, now hopes nothing will disturb the football extravaganza from June 12-July 13.<br /><br />The country was gripped by a wave of discontent during the Confederations Cup last year with demonstrators repeatedly clashing with police in protest against high taxes, inflation, corruption and poor public services.<br /><br />"My concern is what could happen during the World Cup," said Pele.<br /><br />"The Confederations Cup was an important event, as will the World Cup and the (2016 Summer) Olympic Games be, for Brazil to attract tourists.<br /><br />"It is not a good idea to stage demonstrations because the Brazilian national team promotes Brazil. It's not their fault if there is corruption in the country." <br /></p>
<p> Brazil striker Neymar, despite his young age, has what it takes to handle the pressure of a World Cup finals on home soil, according to football great Pele.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 22-year-old forward joined Barcelona from Santos last year on a five-year deal, scoring his first La Liga goal in late September as he slowly bulked up for the demands of European football.<br /><br />"He is a great player," Pele, a triple World Cup winner, told a news conference at the Paris City Hall on Monday as the World Cup trophy was displayed in the French capital.<br />"He is gaining experience in Europe, where the game is tougher than in Brazil.<br /><br />"For him (Barca) is a good opportunity. He will come back to Brazil with some experience." Neymar has produced some inspirational performances for Brazil, scoring 30 goals in 47 matches – including a hat-trick in last week's 5-0 friendly win over South Africa. Brazil last hosted the World Cup in the 1950 when they were beaten by Uruguay in the final – a defeat, Pele said, still played on the mind of Brazilians.<br />"It will be a big pressure. It will be our revenge. The idea is to wipe away that memory, hopefully this year," he said.<br /><br />Brazil were drawn in Group A with Mexico, Cameroon and Croatia, against whom they will open proceedings on June 12 in Sao Paulo. Pele, a special advisor of the World Cup organising committee, now hopes nothing will disturb the football extravaganza from June 12-July 13.<br /><br />The country was gripped by a wave of discontent during the Confederations Cup last year with demonstrators repeatedly clashing with police in protest against high taxes, inflation, corruption and poor public services.<br /><br />"My concern is what could happen during the World Cup," said Pele.<br /><br />"The Confederations Cup was an important event, as will the World Cup and the (2016 Summer) Olympic Games be, for Brazil to attract tourists.<br /><br />"It is not a good idea to stage demonstrations because the Brazilian national team promotes Brazil. It's not their fault if there is corruption in the country." <br /></p>