For a player with the talent and quality of Neymar, you have to feel for him for being a part of the same generation as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo who are arguably two of the greatest ever footballers of all time.
The Brazilian moved to Barcelona from Santos in order to prove himself in the biggest club competition in the world and challenge for titles year after year. Along the way, he has developed into a world class winger under the guidance of Messi, who he has been lucky enough to learn from.
It’s been four years since that transfer took place, but for Neymar in particular, its time for a different scenery.
As mentioned, Messi has helped Neymar grow to becoming the player he is today. The link up between Messi, Suarez and himself have made the trio, referred to as ‘MSN’, being known as the most lethal attack in world football. So with this great service and guidance, why on earth should he leave one of the biggest clubs in world football?
(photo: AFP)
Funnily enough, Lionel Messi has a lot to do with it. The Argentine has stolen the spotlight week in week out, with all the pressure placed on his shoulders as you would expect being the best player on the planet. This has left freedom for Neymar to mind his own business which has led to him scoring 68 goals for the club.
Forget about Messi. For Neymar at the age of 25, it should be his time to own the stage and lead a club on his shoulders and prove to the footballing world that he doesn’t need to rely on players such as Messi to do the easy work for him.
He has proven he can be the main man for the Brazil national team, always coming up with the goods when called upon.
Paris Saint-Germain is the perfect club for the Brazilian to shine and maybe win the Ballon’dor even with the presence of Messi and Ronaldo still playing.
Although I will admit that the La Liga is a better standard than Ligue 1, he is still moving to a club that has always showed signs that they want to reach the summit of world football through their smart investments. The French league is not seen as a walkover as it once was, with Monaco winning the title last season proving that.
Over the years, PSG have been left disappointed with their lack of progression in the Champions league. It is the one competition that the owners of the club want to win for all the money that they have invested.
With Neymar moving to the French capital, it would give him something to aim towards which would lead to extra motivation to try and go all the way in the competition. He has been successful on all fronts with Barcelona, winning every single title possible. At some point Neymar will feel like a new challenge, and there would be no better club to do it than PSG.
Reports are emerging that PSG are willing to spend $260m for the transfer fee alone. If I was the Barcelona president, my first thought would be to take the money and sell the player on. Regardless of whether Neymar stays or goes, the club will challenge for trophies no matter what.
By winning the champions league with PSG, it would only cement Neymar’s legacy as one of the best Brazilian players of all time. Money shouldn’t be the motivator for this deal to go through, but the drive to succeed leading a team basically on his own should be the objective.
For all parties involved, this transfer only makes sense.
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
@punter it's just a 10 year old who supports the Saudi Arabian league who just loves being a troll
punter
Guest
I'm the Punter, who are you? What do you add here?
punter
Guest
Who are you?
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
So what are you then 'Al-Shazahd' ?
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
Wouldn't be surprised Chris
chris
Guest
Seriously how do these comments make it past the moderators? Al are you a 10yo?
Griffo
Roar Guru
It may have worked for the Olympics (with such high emotional cost from pressure at home, and that could have gone either way) but not so much the home World Cup although he was 3 years younger, with much higher pressure still. Remains to be seen for next year but he won't be able to do it on his own imo.
Al-Shazahd
Guest
"Also, seeing as they make the final nearly every year now, it won’t be as big of an achievement than a UCL title at Paris" Juventus in European football: 2016-2017 Final 2015-2016 Round of 16 2014-2015 Final 2013-2014 Group stage 2013-2013 Quarter finals
Al-Shazahd
Guest
How can he become the world's best player when he plays in Ligue 1? You don't even rate the French league as the top 4 in Europe. Loyalty is now officially dead in football remember? All about the $$$
Al-Shazahd
Guest
Why do you assume my username means I am Saudi Arabia you ignorant child?
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
For the Brazilian national team he has shown that he can carry a team on his shoulders
Griffo
Roar Guru
Neymar has a few years on Messi, who won't be around forever, and so it is as much about the right club and team as it is about attitude. That attitude has also to do with being part of a team. A few exceptional players can carry a team but that only goes so far if the rest of the squad is a help not a hindrance. It's also about temperament and digging a team out of a hole or diving right in it when it gets tough. Similar calls for Messi to move on from Barça were made but it hasn't stopped him being labelled one of the best ever. Messi has been part of exceptional teams at Barça but hasn't carried them on his own. But for how much longer? Neymar may not be that sort of player to carry a team on his own but can be an important part of one. It is as much about how Barça plan for the time without Messi as it is for them to keep players that can continue their success. In the end Neymar has to decide what he wants to be and who he does it with, which at 25, is going to be critical for the remaining peak period of his 20's. Barça may also need the cash to plan for that future but staying with them may be Neymar's best option if it's his still to make. Looking elsewhere may remove his ability to plan a future there, and make Barça's decision easier for them to cash in.
chris
Guest
Whilst Neymar has unbelievable talent and amazing feet and speed I have to agree with you Bob. To me he is also a cheat and almost impossible to defend against. Any hint of a challenge on him and he goes down like a sack of spuds. Never ever wanting to stay on his feet like Messi. Defenders are left with the choice of trying to jockey him (like Juventus tried the other night) and Neymar waltzing passed them. Or they can try to challenge him and he'll dive earning a pen or free kick in a dangerous position.
chris
Guest
Why not Matt?
bob
Roar Rookie
Not a fan on the player, I think he lacks integrity and when losing a match leads the way for bringing the game into disrepute with his diving fraudster antics.Despite this he does have talent and is marketable, so your article is a timely discussion. For the player moving would be the best thing if he wants to be remembered a great:he will always be in the shadow of Messi and won't reach the same heights if he stays at Barca. For the club they should certainly cash in on him if his release clause is triggered because he isn't irreplaceable as Messi was at that age. With that amount Barca can replace him with more. And despite hierarchy fronting with a tough stance, I think quietly they would be toasting a massive pay day.
Frank
Roar Rookie
Why would you say it's the 'easy way out?' It would represent a new challenge for him in a new environment with bigger expectations. It might be a gamble in some ways, but if he manages to win the champions league with psg then his move will be a success regardless
Frank
Roar Rookie
It wouldn't be a particularly bad move if Neymar moved to France, but I do think it's about the money more than anything else with his father playing a big role in that aspect
Brisvegas
Guest
Nah, he should sign for Brisbane Roar, and pay them $250m for the privilege. He'd probably get regular game time and may even become a fan favourite. In a couple of years he could play Barcelona in the World Club Championship and then really show Messi and Co how to be a cult figure. If it's a challenge he wants, then that's the one for him.
Matt Jones
Guest
Not really
Matt Jones
Guest
I'm sure you didn't