Brazil and Colombia collide at the World Cup, how do rivals Neymar and Rodriguez match up?
There will be hundreds of millions of pounds worth of talent on display when Brazil take on Colombia in Friday's World Cup quarter-final, but the contest will boil down to a battle between the No 10s.
Both are 22 years of age, both have illuminated this World Cup and both are shouldering the burden of their nation's expectation.
There will be hundreds of millions of pounds worth of talent on display when Brazil take on Colombia in Friday's World Cup quarter-final, but the contest will boil down to a battle between the No 10s.
Both are 22 years of age, both have illuminated this World Cup and both are shouldering the burden of their nation's expectation.
Millions around the world - and an incredibly lucky 60,000 at the Castelao in Fortaleza - will be glued to the battle between Neymar of Brazil and James Rodriguez of Colombia.
Here's how the two superstars match up.
BASICS
Neymar da Silva Santos Junior
Born: Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, Brazil; February 5, 1992
Club: Barcelona
James David Rodriguez Rubio
Born: Cucuta, Colombia; July 12, 1991
Club: Monaco
Born: Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, Brazil; February 5, 1992
Club: Barcelona
James David Rodriguez Rubio
Born: Cucuta, Colombia; July 12, 1991
Club: Monaco
WORLD CUP PERFORMANCES
Neymar entered the World Cup in an unenviable position. His nation's poster boy for a tournament in which a far-from-vintage Brazil team are expected to triumph, Neymar could have crumbled under the colossal weight of expectation.
But the 22-year-old has, so far, kept his composure and guided Brazil into the quarter-finals with an occasional sprinkling of stardust.
On the occasion of his 50th cap for Brazil, he scored twice on opening night - a run and shot from outside the box that squeezed into the far corner and a penalty - as Croatia were beaten 3-1.
After Brazil drew a blank against Mexico, Neymar scored twice as they thrashed Cameroon 4-1 to reach the second round.
Against Chile in the last-16, Neymar demonstrated an ice-cold temperament to convert the winning penalty in a tense shoot-out following a 1-1 draw.
He had finished the 120 minutes barely able to stand, as a knee injury flared up, but any doubts about his ability to perform under pressure were dispelled as his penalty hit the back of Claudio Bravo's net.
Rodriguez has been the revelation of the tournament, without question its best player and someone who seems to be improving with every game.
Many were quick to label Colombia as 'dark horses' for the title and with Rodriguez taking up the reins, they've been at full gallop. He has scored five times - one more than Neymar - and is the front runner for the Golden Boot (and you would have got long odds on that before the tournament).
What's more, he scored the most beautiful goal of the tournament, that volley against Uruguay in the last round that was one elegant, fluid movement of chest control, spin and strike.
In the group stage, he scored one and created one against Greece and found the target too against the Ivory Coast and Japan. A tap-in completed the win over Uruguay and set up another all-South American affair in the last eight.
POSITION AND ROLE
With other members of Brazil's attack liable to be a bit hit and miss, it's no surprise Luiz Felipe Scolari has given Neymar a free role.
He has variously popped up on the left, on the right and surging through the middle during the tournament so far and the rest of the side is modelled around him.
The fluidity of the position suits Neymar's strengths - seeking out free space, demanding the ball and driving forward with the magnetic touch and bag of tricks you would expect from a Brazilian star.
Brazil are far from a one-man team but there's no doubting who their most influential player is.
POSITION AND ROLE
With other members of Brazil's attack liable to be a bit hit and miss, it's no surprise Luiz Felipe Scolari has given Neymar a free role.
He has variously popped up on the left, on the right and surging through the middle during the tournament so far and the rest of the side is modelled around him.
The fluidity of the position suits Neymar's strengths - seeking out free space, demanding the ball and driving forward with the magnetic touch and bag of tricks you would expect from a Brazilian star.
Brazil are far from a one-man team but there's no doubting who their most influential player is.
ATTRIBUTES
Neymar wasn't out of his teenage years when the first, inevitable comparisons were made to Pele.
Standing at 5ft 9in and with a slim build, Neymar may lack a physical presence but that only makes him more nimble.
He possesses all the quick footwork, imagination and trickery of a Brazilian star, isn't afraid to get his head down and run at opposition defences, and can squeeze home a shot through the eye of a needle.
He has an 81.9 per cent shooting accuracy at this World Cup and has completed 36 dribbles (second only to Lionel Messi).
Oh and did I mention that it all happens at a speed that makes him appear a blur to defenders. If there is a weakness, it is in tacking back to aid the defence
Rodriguez is a couple of inches taller but of a stronger build. He can't match the speed of Neymar but is an accomplished passer at both short and long-range.
Rodriguez is technically sound in pretty much every department, with touch, balance and an instinctive awareness of those around him.
As his goal return at this World Cup has shown, Rodriguez is deadly in front of goal, with a shooting accuracy of 87.5 per cent.
In terms of weaknesses, he is stripped of possession sometimes a little too easily and, like Neymar, could do with a little bit more spring and strength in aerial contests.
Hailing from the Mogi das Cruzes area of Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, Neymar grew up playing futsal and street football, honing the skills that would make him a star.
He joined Santos as a youth team player in 2003, aged 11, and made his first team debut at the age of 17. It soon became apparent that Neymar was a prolific scorer and he found the net 136 times in 225 appearances for Santos.
The highlight of his time there came when Santos beat Uruguayan side Penarol to win the 2011 Copa Libertadores, Neymar scoring the first goal in the second leg.
It became a matter of time before a major European team made an offer Neymar and Santos couldn't refuse and Barcelona duly paid £48.6m for him.
That fee was revealed to be closer to £71m after the Spanish authorities accused Barcelona of tax fraud over the transfer.
Born in Cucuta, Rodriguez started out at Colombian second division side Envigado before being signed by Argentine team Banfield in 2008.
He helped them to the league title in 2009 and scored some spectacular goals that attracted interest in Europe. Banfield turned down a few offers before moving him on to Porto for £6m.
He soon became a formidable creative force in the team, scoring 35 goals and contributing 21 assists in his 105 appearances for them. He helped them to three back-to-back Primeira Liga titles between 2011 and 2013 and the UEFA Europa League with a 1-0 win over Braga in 2011.
It was enough to persuade nouveau riche Monaco to buy him for just shy of £40m in the summer of 2013 - a club record signing until his compatriot Radamel Falcao came through the door a few weeks later.
GOALSCORING RECORD - COUNTRY
Neymar has a very impressive scoring record for Brazil - with 35 goals in 53 appearances. This puts his sixth in the all-time list of Selecao scorers, behind Pele (77 goals), Zico (66), Ronaldo (62), Romario (55) and Bebeto (55).
Rodriguez made his Colombia debut in 2011 and now has 10 goals in 26 appearances. This included important strikes in World Cup qualification against Peru, Chile and Ecuador.
WEALTH
Neymar has an estimated wealth of around £66m. This has increased exponentially in the last year following his move to Barcelona and his World Cup performances mean it will inevitable go up further.
Following the scrutiny of his transfer from Santos by the Spanish tax authorities, it was revealed that Neymar is paid an annual salary of £7.2m and was paid an £8.2m signing-on fee when he joined.
Barcelona also compensated his parents, Neymar Snr and Nadine, to the tune of £32m over a previous agreement with their company, N&N.
Neymar has a string of sponsorship deal worth £16.4m a year with Nike, Panasonic and Red Bull among others. He owns a number of properties in Sao Paulo and a yacht worth £4.1m.
Rodriguez earns a salary of £4.7m a year and was paid a signing-on fee of £1m when he joined Monaco from Porto last summer.
His portfolio of endorsements is rapidly expanding and the 22-year-old has featured in adverts for Adidas, as well as Colombian beverage Pony Malta, shampoo brand Clear and Nestle drink Milo.
His success at the World Cup is sure to boost his appeal further.
WAGS
Neymar's girlfriend Bruna Marquezine, an actress from Rio de Janeiro, has been a smiling presence in the stands at all of Brazil's matches. T
hey had split up back in January and Neymar stepped out with model Gabriella Lenzi for short time, before the couple reunited.
Rodriguez married Daniela Ospina, the sister of Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, in 2011 and they have a daughter called Salome, born in May last year.
HONOURS
Neymar
At Santos: Campeonato Paulista 2010, 2011, 2012; Copa do Brasil 2010; Copa Libertadores 2011; Recopa Sudamericana 2012
At Barcelona: Supercopa de Espana 2013
With Brazil: FIFA Confederations Cup 2013; Olympic silver medal 2012; South American Youth Championship 2011
James Rodriguez
At Banfield: Argentine Apertura title 2009
At Porto: Primeira Liga 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13; Taca de Portugal 2011; Supertaca 2010, 2011, 2012; UEFA Europa League 2011
With Colombia: Toulon Tournament 2011
Rodriguez is technically sound in pretty much every department, with touch, balance and an instinctive awareness of those around him.
As his goal return at this World Cup has shown, Rodriguez is deadly in front of goal, with a shooting accuracy of 87.5 per cent.
In terms of weaknesses, he is stripped of possession sometimes a little too easily and, like Neymar, could do with a little bit more spring and strength in aerial contests.
Hailing from the Mogi das Cruzes area of Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, Neymar grew up playing futsal and street football, honing the skills that would make him a star.
He joined Santos as a youth team player in 2003, aged 11, and made his first team debut at the age of 17. It soon became apparent that Neymar was a prolific scorer and he found the net 136 times in 225 appearances for Santos.
The highlight of his time there came when Santos beat Uruguayan side Penarol to win the 2011 Copa Libertadores, Neymar scoring the first goal in the second leg.
It became a matter of time before a major European team made an offer Neymar and Santos couldn't refuse and Barcelona duly paid £48.6m for him.
That fee was revealed to be closer to £71m after the Spanish authorities accused Barcelona of tax fraud over the transfer.
Born in Cucuta, Rodriguez started out at Colombian second division side Envigado before being signed by Argentine team Banfield in 2008.
He helped them to the league title in 2009 and scored some spectacular goals that attracted interest in Europe. Banfield turned down a few offers before moving him on to Porto for £6m.
He soon became a formidable creative force in the team, scoring 35 goals and contributing 21 assists in his 105 appearances for them. He helped them to three back-to-back Primeira Liga titles between 2011 and 2013 and the UEFA Europa League with a 1-0 win over Braga in 2011.
It was enough to persuade nouveau riche Monaco to buy him for just shy of £40m in the summer of 2013 - a club record signing until his compatriot Radamel Falcao came through the door a few weeks later.
GOALSCORING RECORD - COUNTRY
Neymar has a very impressive scoring record for Brazil - with 35 goals in 53 appearances. This puts his sixth in the all-time list of Selecao scorers, behind Pele (77 goals), Zico (66), Ronaldo (62), Romario (55) and Bebeto (55).
Rodriguez made his Colombia debut in 2011 and now has 10 goals in 26 appearances. This included important strikes in World Cup qualification against Peru, Chile and Ecuador.
WEALTH
Neymar has an estimated wealth of around £66m. This has increased exponentially in the last year following his move to Barcelona and his World Cup performances mean it will inevitable go up further.
Following the scrutiny of his transfer from Santos by the Spanish tax authorities, it was revealed that Neymar is paid an annual salary of £7.2m and was paid an £8.2m signing-on fee when he joined.
Barcelona also compensated his parents, Neymar Snr and Nadine, to the tune of £32m over a previous agreement with their company, N&N.
Neymar has a string of sponsorship deal worth £16.4m a year with Nike, Panasonic and Red Bull among others. He owns a number of properties in Sao Paulo and a yacht worth £4.1m.
Rodriguez earns a salary of £4.7m a year and was paid a signing-on fee of £1m when he joined Monaco from Porto last summer.
His portfolio of endorsements is rapidly expanding and the 22-year-old has featured in adverts for Adidas, as well as Colombian beverage Pony Malta, shampoo brand Clear and Nestle drink Milo.
His success at the World Cup is sure to boost his appeal further.
WAGS
Neymar's girlfriend Bruna Marquezine, an actress from Rio de Janeiro, has been a smiling presence in the stands at all of Brazil's matches. T
hey had split up back in January and Neymar stepped out with model Gabriella Lenzi for short time, before the couple reunited.
Rodriguez married Daniela Ospina, the sister of Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, in 2011 and they have a daughter called Salome, born in May last year.
HONOURS
Neymar
At Santos: Campeonato Paulista 2010, 2011, 2012; Copa do Brasil 2010; Copa Libertadores 2011; Recopa Sudamericana 2012
At Barcelona: Supercopa de Espana 2013
With Brazil: FIFA Confederations Cup 2013; Olympic silver medal 2012; South American Youth Championship 2011
James Rodriguez
At Banfield: Argentine Apertura title 2009
At Porto: Primeira Liga 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13; Taca de Portugal 2011; Supertaca 2010, 2011, 2012; UEFA Europa League 2011
With Colombia: Toulon Tournament 2011
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