Written by: Subir Acharya - 24072, Grade XI
Posted on: 20 March, 2023
Neymar Jr. is a renowned Brazilian forward who plays for Paris Saint Germain and the Brazil National Team. He gained recognition after debuting for Santos at age 17, helping them win numerous titles including the 2011 Copa Libertadores. Despite receiving offers from prominent European clubs such as Real Madrid, Neymar remained with Santos for several years. He was also a two-time winner of the South American Footballer of the Year award in 2011 and 2012.
In 2013, Neymar fulfilled his dream of playing for Barcelona FC in Europe. Despite being too young to play in the 2010 World Cup, at 18, Pele himself advocated for Neymar's inclusion in the Brazilian squad. Four years later, Neymar represented Brazil in the 2014 World Cup, scoring two goals each in the first two games. However, his tournament was cut short when he suffered a severe injury during the quarter-finals against Colombia. Brazil went on to face Germany in the semi-finals without Neymar and lost 7-1, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.
Following his injury at the World Cup, there were doubts about Neymar's performance, but he returned to Camp Nou and joined forces with Messi and Suarez to form one of the deadliest trios in football. In 2015, they won the European championship with Neymar scoring 15 goals and the winning goal. Neymar's stunning performance shocked the world and cemented his place as a talented player who could potentially replace Messi and Ronaldo. In 2016, he led Brazil's Olympic squad and broke world records, including scoring the fastest goal in Olympic history, and helped Brazil win their first-ever Olympic gold medal in football by scoring a penalty goal in the final against Germany.
Despite his young age, Neymar was compared to legendary footballers like Pele, Maradona, Ronaldinho, Messi, and Ronaldo due to his impressive performance in Europe and leading Brazil to its first Olympic gold medal. In the 2016-17 Champions League, Barcelona faced Paris-Saint Germain in the Round of 16 and lost 4-0 in the first leg. In the second leg, played at Camp Nou, Barcelona was down 5-3 on aggregate in the 88th minute when Neymar scored a stunning free-kick goal, sparking hope for his team. He then scored a penalty goal to level the score at 5-5 and assisted the winning goal by Sergio Roberto in the last minute, leading Barcelona to one of the greatest comebacks in football history. After the game was over by 6-5 on aggregate, all the headlines were made for Messi even though Neymar gave a 10/10 performance. After the season was over, Neymar was approached by Paris-Saint Germain which he accepted and moved to Parc des Princess which was one of the most expensive signings in football history with fees over 222$ millions Euro leaving Europe’s one of the finest trio; MSN.
Neymar Junior has been a subject of criticism from various quarters in the football world. Despite his numerous records and accolades, many have questioned his value as a player, citing his perceived arrogance and his tendency to dive during matches. Neymar has been accused of exaggerating injuries to gain an advantage during matches, leading to widespread criticism from fans and pundits who argue that this behavior undermines the integrity of the game.
Off the pitch, Neymar has also faced criticism for his lavish lifestyle and perceived arrogance. His extravagant lifestyle, including expensive cars and luxurious homes, has been seen as a distraction from his footballing duties. Critics have accused him of prioritizing his personal life over his professional career, leading to a lack of focus and consistency on the pitch. Despite these criticisms, Neymar remains one of the most talented footballers of his generation, with his skill and flair continuing to impress fans and fellow players alike.
In terms of Neymar's time at PSG, while it's true that he has faced criticism for his performances and injuries, it's also important to note that he has had some notable successes with the club. In addition to leading PSG to their first-ever Champions League final in 2020, he has also helped the team win multiple domestic titles, including the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France. While there have certainly been some ups and downs in his time with the club, it's not accurate to say that his career has been "totally destroyed" since moving to Paris.
In his documentary, Neymar revealed that he was blamed for PSG losses while giving credit to other players for their wins. Despite facing many challenges, such as injuries and lack of appreciation from football fans, he continues to make comebacks. In 2019, he missed Copa America victory and also lost in the Copa America final in 2021. He trained hard for the 2022 World Cup, but suffered an ankle injury in the first game against Serbia. However, he made a strong comeback in the Round of 16 against South Korea and was named MVP. In the quarter-final against Croatia, Neymar scored a late goal but Brazil lost in a penalty shootout, leading him to suffer from depression. Despite having a great season for his club, Neymar suffered an ankle injury in a match against Locs, forcing him to miss the rest of the season for treatment.
Neymar Junior, a Brazilian striker and top assists provider for Brazil, has not received the recognition he deserves. Although compared to football greats Messi and Ronaldo, Neymar has the potential to win multiple Ballon d'Or awards and is frequently nominated. Despite being a disliked player, many admire his playing style. Unfortunately, the French media's constant targeting has weakened him. Nevertheless, Neymar is one of the most skilled football players in the world, ranking third in most final goal scoring alongside Messi and Pele. Despite these criticisms, Neymar has remained one of the most popular and influential football players in the world. His skills and creativity on the pitch have earned him a legion of fans, and his achievements have cemented his place among the greats of the game. While he may continue to face criticism throughout his career, there is no denying that Neymar's talent and contribution to football will be remembered for years to come. Neymar Junior can be likened to a football prince who never ascended to the throne of a king.
