Neymar’s career path is not smooth and to the top is dazzling because he always chooses to follow his personality.

When Cristiano Ronaldo went to Saudi Arabia, Lionel Messi crossed the ocean to the US, Neymar’s arrival in the Middle East is not surprising. But because of the difference between him and the two men in terms of age, in terms of individual awards, leaving Europe to come to Saudi Arabia is associated with two words “failure”.

31 years old, Neymar is too old to choose a football background like Saudi Arabia or not? Of course not, so people pointed their noses at him as they ran after the call for money. But, look at the list of people who have been to the oil land this summer, there are people the same age, there are elements younger.

Why is Neymar being scrutinized and criticized more? Because he himself was, is and will always be one of the most controversial figures in world football.

Is Neymar good? Good. Too good is another.

Back in December 2011, Neymar and Santos played in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Barcelona, ​​a match that is considered a competition between the 19-year-old player and Messi.

Santos’ coach at the time, Muricy Ramalho, said: “It won’t be long before Neymar will be the best in the world. They (Neymar and Messi) are the same, but Neymar is a little more special. You can’t find anyone in the world who can do what he does with the ball.”

Messi responded with a brace in Barca’s 4-0 win, but the Catalunya team “dotted” Neymar to spend 57 million euros and signed a “new Pele” 18 months later.

At Camp Nou, Neymar impressed and had a great partnership with Messi, bringing a series of major trophies for Barca. But on a personal level, it must be said, Neymar – and many other talented players, were too unlucky to play at a time when both Ronaldo and Messi were at their peak.

With his ego, Neymar wants to go beyond. Although Barca can offer him every possible condition to reach a certain milestone in the future, the Brazilian star does not want to wait.

That’s why he became the most expensive player in the world (222 million euros), after Paris St Germain activated the contract’s release clause.

But in Paris, the foundation is not like in Catalunya, Neymar is sharing the role with Kylian Mbappe – the darling of France. So the last 6 years have been failures.

Not only at PSG, Neymar also collapsed in the national team. For some inexplicable reason, Neymar is not destined for Copa America, not lucky enough in the World Cup, so that with each passing year, he has never been a rival to Ronaldo and Messi in the race for the Ballon d’Or or other tournaments. other individual awards.

Before leaving PSG, one of the doors for Neymar was a return to Barcelona. But it also quickly shuts down.

Not because of the financial crisis – which is caused by Barca’s inefficient investment of the proceeds after selling Neymar, but also because coach Xavi – who used to play football with Neymar, considers the bringing him back is the “last possibility”.

Barca need players who are willing to work together towards a common goal while putting the team above individual desires. Neymar is also capable of ruining the recently restored harmony in the Barca dressing room. Xavi was wary of that possibility.

Not next to the titles, the awards, not many people rank Neymar below Messi and Ronaldo. Neymar is a special player, the type that only appears once in a generation. But he didn’t do enough to maximize his unique talent.

“It’s hard to defend Neymar because of all the things he does outside of football. I talked to him and explained to him, ‘God has given you a gift. What you do just makes it happen. complicated'”, the late legendary Pele once said in 2018.

Lifestyle, playing style is what many people don’t like about Neymar. But it makes him unique. Controversy can still go to Saudi Arabia, but at least, for those who like to watch football and don’t like to judge, Neymar is still really worth watching.