Pele expects more from Neymar

Pele has urged fellow Brazilian Neymar to find another level ahead of the World Cup.

The 73-year-old believes that the Barcelona forward regularly struggles to handle his emotions on the pitch, and has claimed that he must make more of an effort to stay on his feet when challenged for the ball.

"He still has to overcome some obstacles, especially win a World Cup to be the best player in the world," Pele told Bild Sport. "He needs to change though.

"Neymar needs to get his emotions under control and keep a cool head in duels, and he has to learn to play standing up. He must not go down too fast. Therefore, the transfer to Barcelona was the best thing that could happen for Brazil as teams in Europe play harder, the defenders stay tighter to the man.

"He is on a good path. But he's still far off what I expected of him."

Brazil will meet Croatia, Cameroon and Mexico in Group A.