I've changed a lot: Neymar

Brazilian forward Neymar feels that the last few years have been a learning curve for him and insists that he has changed a lot in recent times.

The 22-year-old became the youngest player to lead the Brazilian outfit, when he wore the captain’s arm band for the first time for the Green and Yellows’ international friendly against Colombia last week.

The Barcelona winger made his first appearance after he fractured his vertebrae in his spine during their last encounter with José Pékerman’s side in the quarter-final in the World Cup this year, and was forced to miss the rest of the tournament.

In the absence of their superstar, the Selecao suffered a humiliating 7-1 loss against champions Germany in the semi-finals and faced another 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands in the third-place playoff.

But Neymar, who starred on his return scoring the only goal in their 1-0 win in the friendly, believes that the last few years have changed him as a person and a footballer.

“Many things have changed for me in recent times, I have learned a lot in the last three to four years”, he was quoted as saying by Tutto Mercato.

“I grew as a player and as a professional. I have learned a lot from experienced players and fellow national team”, the 55-times capped player added.