Neymar could soon have the world at his feet if he inspires Brazil to glory on home turf this summer.
And
the Barcelona star got a taste of the ball he hopes to win the World
Cup with during training at Brazil's training base on Wednesday.
Chelsea's
Oscar and former team-mate David Luiz were among the players who used
the Brazuca ball while training alongside Neymar as the squad were
assembled on the pitch for the first time since joining up for the World
Cup.
Skills test: Oscar (left) and Neymar (centre) juggle with the Brazuca World Cup ball in training on Wednesday
Keep up: Dani Alves (second right) also got a taste of the official World Cup ball at Granja Comary
Likes what he sees? Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari (centre) casts his eye over his squad
Goalkeeper
Julio Cesar has backed the official World Cup ball, playing down
possible worries over the performance of the adidas-made Brazuca.
'The
ball is a good one, we had contact with it today,' the former Inter
Milan and Queens Park Rangers player said of the Brazuca, which is a
playfully slang word for native Brazilians.
'I think the outfield players are going to like it too,' he added.
His
comments at Brazil's Granja Comary training complex, which is in
Teresopolis 90km outside Rio de Janeiro, were in sharp contrast to four
years ago when he and other players criticised the Jabulani ball, which
was used in the South Africa World Cup.
Orders: Scolari gives instructions to Neymar as the Samba stars build up towards the World Cup
You're supposed to use your feet! The Brazil players get their hands on the Brazuca ball for some exercises
What's the secret, Phil? Scolari whispers to technical coordinator Carlos Alberto Parreira (left)
That
ball, he said, was too light and moved about in the air. It was
'terrible, horrible, like a ball you buy in the supermarket,' he added.
Julio
Cesar had a miserable campaign at the 2010 finals where his mistake
contributed to Brazil's elimination by the Netherlands at the
quarter-final stage.
But
the 34-year-old, who is now plying his trade with FC Toronto in U.S.
Major League Soccer, said he had worked hard to recover his confidence
after that career low point.
Glove affair: Goalkeeper Julio Cesar eyes the new Brazuca ball during training in Teresopolis
Still like it, Julio? The keeper gestures after a ball is struck past him and into the net
Back of the net: Goalkeeper Jefferson stretches for the ball but can't prevent a goal during training
'Supermarket ball': The infamous Jabulani ball was used at the 2010 World Cup
'Sometimes too much confidence can trip you up, and I say that from experience,' he said.
'After
the World Cup, in addition to our elimination, I had problems with
Inter and with Queens Park Rangers. I had to be very strong in order to
be here today.
'I
am a much better player than four years ago,' he said. 'Although I had
the rank of best goalkeeper in the world in 2010 I feel like I am much
better prepared today. You always have to take something positive from
adversity.'
What a way to travel: Brazil's method of transport during the World Cup has been revealed
Perfect branding: Brazilian airline Gol has provided the Boeing 737-800 for the national team's travel
Bright: The plane was painted by The Twins - graffiti artists and identical brothers Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo
Scolari's planning has been meticulous and this was evident when his squad arrived.
The stars had a medical check-up at Granja Comary, dubbed the Brazil Lab.
Luiz,
on the verge of a £50m move from Chelsea to PSG, had his mouth and ears
checked up, while his soon-to-be club-mate Thiago Silva got the same
treatment as the squad were put through stringent fitness tests.
Meanwhile,
the team's method of transport has been revealed for the World Cup: a
spectacular painted airplane branded with the team badge.
The
plane, a Boeing 737-800 provided by Brazilian airline Gol - was painted
by The Twins, graffiti artists and identical twin brothers Otavio and
Gustavo Pandolfo.
Their design features faces that represent the Brazilian people.
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