Willian: Brazil squad can share Neymar's burden

Brazil midfielder Willian believes that Neymar is the best player in the Selecao team but insists that the whole squad want to share his burden of steering the side to World Cup glory.

Neymar has been singled out as the player who could take Brazil to their sixth World title at home this summer - with the Barcelona forward’s four goals in his team’s three group games already having proved crucial in Brazil qualifying for the knockout rounds of the competition.

The 22-year-old has seemingly shouldered the weight of his nation with ease but Willian says that Neymar does not have to do everything on his own as all the players want to have a role in the team’s success this summer.

"I know one thing Neymar is a star. He is the biggest name in the squad, one of the best in the world," Willian told The Times of India.

"But his responsibilities are something we all want to share. We all feel it and we all want to take that responsibility."

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side will play fellow South American team, Chile, in the last 16 of the tournament on June 28 after they topped Group A ahead of Mexico with seven points.

Willian remains hopeful that the Selecao will be victorious over Jorge Sampaoli’s side in Belo Horizonte but remains cautious after ‘the Maracanazo’ in 1950 - when Brazil lost the World Cup final against Uruguay on home turf.

"The beginning of the World Cup is always a bit tough. Our combinations needed to settle in and of course we needed to please our fans. I think we have done a good job in the Group Stage," Willian said.

"In a World Cup we have to see all matches as being tough and we look forward to overcoming Chile next."

On the Maracanazo, he added: "That is something every fan in Brazil has not forgotten yet, and neither have the media.

"We want to do it differently. We want to give Brazilians the joy of the championship.

"When we won the Confederations Cup last summer, we felt the whole country was behind us and that helps a lot. The support of the fans means they are our 12th player."