<img style="float: left;" title="Kashinath Bhattacharjee" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2014/aug/Bhattacharjee1406.jpg" alt="Kashinath Bhattacharjee" />Pele, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima and Cristiano Ronaldo -- none of them have managed to score a goal on their World Cup debut.
On June 16, 2006, 18-year-old Lionel Messi wearing a No 19 Argentine away blue shirt, came on as a substitute for Maxi Rodriguez in the 74th minute to score his first, and till date only, World Cup goal against Serbia-Montenegro.
On Thursday, Brazil&rsquo;s Neymar da Silva Santos wore a No 10 shirt in his first World Cup match at the Arena de Sao Paulo and scored a brace to be adjudged Man of the Match against Croatia. The 22-year old Brazilian later said, &ldquo;I could not have asked for more. In fact, I could not even dare to dream about this. To start off on the right path was important for the team and I&rsquo;m happy I could contribute.&rdquo;
<img title="Lionel Messi" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2014/aug/L-Messi1406.jpg" alt="Lionel Messi" /> Barcelona's Lionel Messi (right) and Neymar. Pic/Getty Images.
At the Arena de Sao Paulo, just below the media gallery, a small section was dedicated to Brazilian supporters where almost everyone had &lsquo;Neymar&rsquo; written on their shirts. From the stadium to the Corinthians Itaquera metro nearby, Brazilian supporters pronounced were seen screaming &lsquo;Ole Ole Brazil&rsquo; and &lsquo;Ney-mar, Ney-mar.&rsquo; The screaming continued even inside the metro.
<a title="FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 in Brazil on mid-day" href="http://www.mid-day.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2014" target="_blank">Catch all the FIFA World Cup 2014 action here</a>
In his first World Cup match, Neymar has already scored one goal more than his idol Messi.&nbsp;The Argentine captain will get his chance when they play Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 15 in Rio de Janeiro. But for now, Neymar has given the battle an electrifying start!
1: Number of goals Lionel Messi has scored in two World Cup tourneys so far

Pele, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima and Cristiano Ronaldo -- none of them have managed to score a goal on their World Cup debut

2014 FIFA World Cup: Neymar goes one up over his idol Messi

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Pele, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima and Cristiano Ronaldo -- none of them have managed to score a goal on their World Cup debut

2014 FIFA World Cup: Neymar goes one up over his idol Messi

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2014 FIFA World Cup: Neymar goes one up over his idol Messi

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