Neymar From Brazil Can Win Top FIFA Award Possibly

A decade of duopoly, the FIFA-run vote to crown soccer’s best player finally seems open to third parties after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo left the World Cup early.

Cutting out the play-acting would also help Neymar win votes, 1990 World Cup winner Lothar Matthaeus said Wednesday.

Now Playing: Brazil Beats Mexico 2-0 in World Cup Knockout Brazil Beats Mexico 2-0 in World Cup Knockout Brazil picked up their third straight shutout victory on Monday, by eliminating Mexico with goals by Neymar and Roberto Firmino.

Neymar must help Brazil lift the trophy next week if he wants to join the greats, according to the World Cup winner who first took home FIFA’s top individual award.