Neymar Jr: what if it all went right?

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Around seven years ago, Brazilian forward Neymar Junior made a rather shocking switch to French outfit Paris Saint Germain for the world’s record transfer fee for a player. Being a third of a rather effective front trio accompanied by lethal goal poacher Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi needing no re-introduction.

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Neymar chose to leave Barcelona and consequently the deadly partnership that wreaked havoc on Spain’s first division and European continental football. Le Parisien acquired the Brazilian’s services to be the face of the franchise and lead the club’s charge for a first ever UEFA Champions League title.

On the side, Neymar himself chasing the quest to find himself Balon D’or glory in the dominating Ronaldo-Messi era. Starting off to a rather great start in Paris racking up impressive numbers for both goal and assist involvements, it all gradually began to feign.

The Brazilian’s time with PSG was characterized by much time on the sidelines for treatment, gimmicks with the club management and media and when fit remarkable flashes of brilliance and entertainment to remind the world of the skill and talent he commands.

Following Kylian Mbappe’s breakout season with AS Monaco, the club initially acquired his services on loan before a full transfer to join the already stacked attack in the charge for the UEFA Champions League.

Despite the squad quality, the closest Neymar and PSG came to the revered title was the 2020 edition in which a flurry of wasted chances saw them concede the trophy to German outfit Bayern Munich. In due time, Lionel Messi arrived the Paris coast to reignite their bromance and another front trio rounded up by Frenchman Kylian Mbappe.

However, fortunes proved to be the same with the title still remaining out of their grasp. Mbappe evolved from a teenager to a very important player for the team leading the onus particularly in Neymar’s usual injury necessitated absences.

Eventually, Mbappe did become the franchise’s most essential personnel – requiring the French president to convince him to renew his contract at the club. Neymar’s transfer went in the entire opposite as expected with the Parisien and deemed surplus to requirements, he made the switch to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League where Cristiano Ronaldo and a host of other stars already settled.

As fate would have it, another unfortunate long term injury caught up just at the commencement of the season which forced him to miss the club’s successful 23/24 campaign and consequently the Copa America that featured arguably one of Brazil’s worst tournament performances.

Perhaps fate, perhaps luck, the club record transfer was miles off valuation and when he does return to the action, will there be a remontada for a player now into his 30s?

TAGS: Neymar Junior, PSG, FC Barcelona, #NRTCSPORT, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Al Hilal, Kylian Mbappe, Bayern Munich, Cristiano Ronaldo