Being one of the best players in the world is tough.

Hype plays a major factor and the result is major scrutiny. Every mistake is put under a microscope while every accomplishment is rubbed off as the expected.

That has been Neymar's career over the last few years. When he is on top of his game, people marvel but behave as if it should be the norm. When he falters, he comes under heavy criticism.

For all his highs and lows, he has now emerged as a Ballon d'Or candidate for 2014. But has he done enough to warrant his first such title?

High Point

Neymar's biggest task of the year was delivering World Cup glory in Brazil. Despite being just 21, everyone expected him to be the man to lead his country to its sixth World title on home soil.

Brazil never managed the feat, but few would blame Neymar for the failure.

At least, not directly.

He was relentless in leading his team with four goals and one assist, all of them coming in the group stage. He put two past Croatia before delivering a double against Cameroon.

Despite not scoring goals in the knockout rounds, Neymar was the only major threat for Brazil against Chile and scored a tremendously important penalty kick in the shootout.

He was the team's catalyst and was the main reason Brazil managed a deep run. However...

Low Point

That came in the second half of the quarter final match against Colombia. He was having a rather quiet night that ended early when Juan Camilo Zuniga kneed him in the back and ended his tournament.

After that, Brazil turned into an emotional disaster and took his loss to a new level. His jersey was used during the national anthem in the semi-final before his team imploded against the Germans.

All Neymar could do was watch in horror and think of what might have been.

Why He Could Win It

He finished fifth last year. Granted he had a terrific start to his career with Barcelona and had a defining display in the Confederations Cup when he also scored four goals and led his team to the trophy.

His performance to start 2014 was not great, but he has been tremendous since the World Cup. There were questions about his role with Barcelona in Luis Enrique's system, but he has answered those queries to the tune of 11 goals and three assists in 11 Spanish League matches (of which he has started eight). He is having the best year of his career and should be a favorite to win it at some point in the near future, if not this very year.

Why He Will Not Win It

Believe it or not, Neymar has not won a single trophy in 2014. He did not win anything with Barcelona and failed in Brazil.

Moreover, he is not scoring at the rate of other major contenders. Ronaldo's 20 Spanish league goals are miles ahead of Neymar's 11. Even Lionel Messi has more goals than Neymar overall and he made a run to the World Cup final.

In another year, Neymar is easily a winner, but without a trophy, his chances are dubious at best.

Predictions

He definitely finishes in the top five and possibly even in third place.

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