It might be time to put Neymar's name back on the Brazilian jersey.
After an uninspired start that prompted some fans to replace his name with Marta's on the famed No. 10 shirt, Neymar is finally showing why he arrived at the Olympics as one of its biggest stars.
Neymar led Brazil to the semifinals of the Olympic soccer tournament with an outstanding performance in the 2-0 win over Colombia on Saturday. He scored a goal and was one of the best players on the field, constantly creating opportunities despite being harassed by Colombian players nearly every time he touched the ball.
"He took a beating but he still helped the team a lot," Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus said. "Everybody knows he is a star. He is crucial for us."
Neymar impressed with his talent and his toughness, the type of performance that Brazilian fans had been expecting since the beginning of the Olympics.
"Neymar gave a very positive response," Brazil Olympic coach Rogerio Micale said. "He was provoked almost the entire first half but he didn't let that get to him. He behaved well as the team's captain."
The Barcelona player lost his cool once before halftime, committing a hard foul on a Colombian player with a tackle that led to a bench-clearing brawl. The play ignited fans at the Arena Corinthians, but he left himself in danger of being sent off.