Brazil's Thiago Silva backs Neymar to emulate Cavani heroics
Thiago Silva has backed Neymar to follow in the footsteps of Paris St Germain team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani by shining in the World Cup knockout stages.
Brazil forward Neymar came into the tournament lacking fitness following a foot injury and scored once during three group games.
Fellow PSG players Mbappe and Cavani were instrumental in their countries reaching the quarter-finals on Saturday, each scoring twice as France knocked out Argentina and Uruguay saw off Portugal.
Brazil face Mexico in the last 16 of the competition on Monday.
And defender Silva, who plays with all three players in Paris, believes Neymar could replicate the exploits of France forward Mbappe and Uruguay striker Cavani.
"Yesterday, when the (France and Uruguay) games were over, I thought the same thing, that Neymar will have his way in our match," said Silva at Brazil's pre-match press conference.
"They (Mbappe and Cavani) were both fundamental for the victories.
"I think Paris St Germain is very well represented (at the World Cup), but now we are talking about the Brazilian national team and I think our team is very balanced.
"In the right moments, we have the right freedom for the strikers to do what they do best.
"We hope tomorrow is going to be a great and Neymar is inspired as well as the other players."
Left-back Marcelo will be absent for the five-time champions in Samara after he was forced off injured in the final group game against Serbia, with Felipe Luis set to deputise.
Coach Tite was impressed with how Neymar performed against the Serbians as the player continues his recovery from foot surgery.
"He played very, very well against Serbia. I told him, 'We know the price you have paid to climb back to this level'," said Tite.
"He did everything we asked tactically, defending the full-back, and looked for goal, to dribble and run with the ball."