“Oh Neymar, there is only one direction to go from FC Barcelona and that’s backwards”. Harsh, but seemingly true, this is what Gary Lineker tweeted after the Brazilian’s world-record transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017. If one was to scour through the replies to that tweet, one may initially think that Lineker had said something extremely controversial. Yet each of Neymar’s six years at PSG proved Lineker’s analysis more accurate and today it has been announced that the winger has signed for Al-Hilal on a two-year deal.
When Neymar arrived at PSG, there was great hope for the Parisien outfit. The star-studded, blonde-tinted, flip-flapping entertainer was seen as the man who would finally bring a Champions League trophy to Paris. The 24-year-old had scored over 100 goals for Barcelona, won two La Liga’s and the coveted Champions League, and had formed a simply sensational front-three partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, famously known as MSN.
PSG were aiming to create their ‘MCN, with Kylian Mbappé (or Angel Di Maria), Edinson Cavani and Neymar at the helm. Initially, it looked like PSG’s Neymar gamble had paid off. Neymar’s debut against Guingamp was incredible. A goal, an assist, 16 duels won and 11 successful dribbles, football’s great entertainer definitely entertained on his debut. In his second game, there was a similar theme. Two goals and two assists. And this continued. Neymar was a revelation for PSG.
Until February. Neymar, against Marseille, suffered the first of his many injuries at PSG and this ruled him out for the rest of his first season. With 28 goals in 30 games, many argued this was a successful first season, but he was unavailable during the key stage of the season, a common theme in Neymar’s tenure at PSG.
His second season also started brightly, but similar issues began to arise and the glitter of Neymar’s move began to tarnish. Despite his undoubted talent and contributions on the pitch, tensions arose.
There were reports of disagreements with teammates, notably Edinson Cavani, and Neymar often found himself overshadowed by the meteoric rise of Kylian Mbappé. The Parisian dream started to feel more like a gilded cage for Neymar. Whispers and speculations began circulating that Neymar was not happy at PSG and missed the camaraderie of his former Barcelona teammates, particularly Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
His heart seemed to remain at Camp Nou, and the media frequently linked him with a return to Barcelona. Every transfer window saw rumours intensify, with Neymar’s father and agent, often at the centre of these speculations. Despite PSG’s domestic success, their repeated failures in the Champions League only fueled Neymar’s apparent desire to return to a place where he had previously tasted European glory.
The final straw came this season. Neymar was having a respectable season, scoring 13 goals in 20 league appearances. Yet his lack of availability became an issue once again, anguishing PSG’s most passionate fans. Following a surprise PSG loss to Lorient, questions arose regarding Neymar’s commitment to the club and as a result, irate PSG fans surrounded Neymar’s suburban Parisian mansion and demanded that he leaves the club. 365Scores wrote an article suggesting that Neymar needs a new crowd to entertain and this would be the last straw.
Whilst Neymar scored 118 goals in just 173 games and won five Ligue 1’s, there are some damning statistics which undermine his career there. During his six years at PSG, he wasn’t included in 47% of PSG’s Ligue 1 starting XIs. As well as this, he only scored two Champions League knockout goals in six seasons. Both were in the 2019/20 Round of 16 vs. Dortmund. For a player of Neymar’s stature, signing for a world record transfer fee. It simply wasn’t acceptable.
Neymar is undoubtedly one of the most talented footballers of his generation. The Brazilian forward has consistently proven himself to be one of the game’s great entertainers, capable of dazzling opponents and fans alike with his breathtaking skill and lightning-fast pace. However, following his move to Al-Hilal, this appears to be the culmination of Neymar’s time at the top table. His career will likely always be looked at in a glass-half-empty manner. He achieved a lot, yet a player with his undeniable talent could, and should, have achieved so much more.
Neymar will go from playing intricate one-twos with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi to immersing himself in an entirely new culture with players who have struggled to make it into Saudi Arabia’s national team. Regardless, the 31-year-old will be hailed as a king in Saudi Arabia, and perhaps this was the best move for the Brazilian. If Neymar can keep fit until 2026, he’ll have one more chance to prove himself as a footballing legend at the World Cup. Until then, good luck, Neymar.
