Neymar - Too cool for school?

So much has been said and written about Neymar Jr, the 22-year-old from Santos being billed as the next Pele – particularly since his controversial move to Barcelona, it's difficult not to head into an interview with preconceptions.

Big money move and below-par form aside, he's one of the most photographed footballers of the moment, he was named the most marketable footballer on the planet by Sportspro and he has the haircut and model girlfriend to boot.

I'm pleased to say I'm not so long in the tooth that I don't get excited by sitting down to interview star footballers like Neymar. But there can be a certain amount of "take a deep breath, here it goes" ahead of sitting down with some of the current generation.

With the out-of-touch, overpaid, media-trained-within-an-inch-of-their-lives types, it can be a challenge.

So, to Barcelona, and the prospect of 20 minutes with Barcelona's record signing – the Brazilian everyone wants to speak to ahead of the 2014 World Cup in his homeland. What did I find?

Well Neymar arrived through the back door at the swanky W hotel on the Barcelona boardwalk- sporting the requisite personalized branded cap, big shades and low slung jeans that show off just a little bit too much of his very expensive designer underwear.

And after taking in how small and slight he is (at least half the size of Cristiano Ronaldo – yes really) it was at that point I got a little bit worried.

As Neymar was ushered through to the green room for his ice cold watermelon juice, nonchalantly leaning on the shoulder of one of his team, looking cooler than a super-sponsored cucumber - I looked down the list of topics I hoped to cover and I came very close to crossing it all out and starting again.

Is he really going to answer my questions about his controversial transfer deal from Santos? Has he even noticed that thousands are protesting against the World Cup back in Brazil? Maybe we should just talk haircuts and play the "yes-no" game for 20 minutes?

I'm pleased to say I was quickly proved wrong. Neymar went about his duties for the scheduled two hours and beyond. He was uber cool - but smiley, and prepared to laugh at himself when he got his lines wrong.

He said “hello” and “thank you” to everyone he dealt with. And – admittedly somewhat bemused – he very graciously accepted the Harrods teddy bear and tin of biscuits presented by one of those working on the event.... as a gift from their mother to his son.

And as his final act of his duty – with a physiotherapy appointment on his injured foot pressing – he shook my hand and sat down. He even turned his cap back to front, so the peak didn't obstruct his face. (Many won't even contemplate that).

Neymar spoke incredibly eloquently about what it will mean to him to represent his country at a home World Cup.

He admitted he thinks about it every hour as the tournament gets closer. He didn't shirk the issues of the protests back home – saying he agrees with the cause to make Brazil better – but "if it’s to protest, then that is done without vandalism and that it’s thinking about the future of Brazil, to improve our country".

Read: Neymar backs peaceful protests

He's obviously very close to his family – and spoke very defensively of his father's role in his move to Barcelona – but he wasn't afraid to criticize those at Santos for their part.

And then there was his confession of his love for One Direction – and the admission that he'd love to collaborate with them one day.

Neymar may be cool – but he's not too cool for school. If he was, surely he'd never admit being a Directioner?

I thoroughly enjoyed talking to him and listening what he had to say – I hope you enjoy watching it.