We didn't think Neymar could still leave fans speechless but he managed it in the Olympic final
For all their success in other competitions, victory in the Olympic final has eluded Brazil for all these years.
In fact, they're so desperate over there to complete the set that they allowed their talisman to miss the Copa America Centenario, just so he could play in the home Olympic games.
It paid off in the group games, where he inspired his compatriots to a crucial victory over Denmark, and he ran the show against Honduras in the semi-finals.
The stage was set for the final, and there was an added narrative - opponents Germany had eliminated them from the 2014 World Cup at the Estádio Mineirão, a game which Neymar missed through injury.
Some might have frozen on such a big stage. Others, like Neymar, might do this instead.
Anyone who thinks football doesn't have a place in the Olympic Games hasn't seen a Brazilian crowd cheering on one of the country's biggest stars.
And the crown in the Maracana weren't the only ones left awestruck by Neymar.
OH, NEYMAR! Free-kick, off the bar! Brazil 1-0 Germany!
— Jonathan Liew (@jonathanliew) August 20, 2016
Strike from Neymar!! 👌👌 #Rio2016
— Rob Timony (@RobTimony) August 20, 2016
Neymar. What a player
— Jack Lang (@jacklang) August 20, 2016
Most players would struggle to pull off a free-kick of that quality in training, let alone in front of thousands of cheering fans with the weight of a country on your shoulders.
But Germany's Max Meyer wasn't going to make things that easy for him, netting a second-half equaliser and ultimately forcing penalties.
After Weverton saved from Nils Petersen, it was left to one man and one man alone to clinch victory.
Neymar Jr kisses the ball...
And 100 million Brazilians go wild.
Brazil win football GOLD!https://t.co/jazAnQQpbq pic.twitter.com/2C65tOeSRT— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 20, 2016
That's what separates the good from the great, it seems.
Massive Mayo v Tipperary preview plus a big interview with Eamon McGee in the latest GAA Hour.Subscribe here on iTunes.
