In their prime, Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated a European Championship victory with Portugal at 31, and Messi still dominated the scoring charts of the top five European leagues. In contrast, Neymar, at the same age, has astonishingly chosen retirement in Saudi Arabia.
Neymar's move to the Saudi league, right after hitting his prime, epitomizes the crazy allure of big-money soccer. This move could signal his missed opportunity to cement his legacy at the top echelon of the game. As fans often note, Neymar's missteps began after Barcelona's dramatic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in August 2017.
Barcelona Comeback, but No Pay Cut
Neymar's departure from PSG wasn't entirely unexpected. After leaving a game due to injury last season and undergoing ligament surgery, many speculated that was his last game for Paris.
PSG's management grew tired of Neymar. He was often injured, playing only 54.7% of matches over six years, and didn't help them advance in European competitions. Given his high salary and contract until 2027, the club seemed eager to cash in.
PSG's coach Enrique and sports director Campos indicated Neymar wasn't in their future plans. Neymar felt the lack of support from the club and its fans and didn't see a promising competitive future with them. This discord was evident when Neymar was excluded from three preseason games in Japan, only to play against the South Korean team, Jeonbuk Hyundai.
Reporter Miguel Delaney revealed that Neymar had tried everything to stay in Europe. However, major clubs including Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid all rejected him, citing his declining performance and excessive transfer fees and wages.
Barcelona, his former club, was interested in a loan deal for Neymar. According to insiders, Neymar tried hard to facilitate the move but was unwilling to reduce his salary.
Breaking the PSG Vicious Cycle
To be fair, the offer from Al-Riyadh Crescent seemed to address the urgent needs of both Neymar and PSG.
Globally, apart from Saudi Arabia, no other league is as generous with its offers. When Al-Riyadh Crescent essentially provided an open checkbook, both PSG and Neymar had little reason to decline.
Reports suggest that PSG quickly reached an agreement with a Saudi club. They were more interested in finding a buyer for Neymar than where he ended up. The transfer fee they received was significantly more than Neymar's estimated market value of 60 million euros. Considering the saved wages over the next four years, PSG had every reason to be pleased.
Reporter Ben Jacobs commented, "This is an excellent deal, especially considering the Financial Fair Play regulations. PSG is entering a new era, moving away from its big-money soccer strategies and hoping to bring in younger talent."
Soccer's New Frontier: Saudi Arabia
For Saudi Arabia, despite spending a significant amount on Neymar's transfer, money wasn't an issue.
Their league represents national aspirations. They hope to elevate the country's profile, prepare for hosting future World Cup events, and support a broader economic transformation. The investment in Neymar and soccer, in general, is akin to building their national infrastructure.
Seeing the success Qatar achieved by investing in Paris Saint-Germain and hosting the World Cup, cash-rich Saudi Arabia wondered why they couldn't replicate or even surpass that model.
Previously, big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Kanté, Koulibaly, and Firmino had already made their move to Saudi Arabia. Neymar's arrival elevates Saudi Arabia's soccer strategy.
From one perspective, signing a 37-year-old Ronaldo was symbolic, but bringing in 31-year-old Neymar has more tangible benefits. With Neymar's move, it's as if Saudi Arabia is declaring to the world that it's the new pinnacle of soccer.
End of Neymar's Legacy?
Finally, let's talk about Neymar. Earning 320 million euros in two years is a deal he hadn't seen before in his career.
While Neymar might be content from a financial standpoint, there's a lingering sense that this move seals the fate of his professional legacy. As a leading figure for Brazil and once considered the third-best player in the world after Messi and Ronaldo, he hasn't lived up to public expectations.
Despite his early success with Santos and Barcelona, Neymar's career decisions significantly affected his historical standing in soccer. Leaving Barcelona for PSG was arguably a choice that raised eyebrows.
In his prime, Neymar seemed to be coasting in a less competitive league. PSG's struggles in the Champions League and their team-building strategies have been questionable.
It's unfair to say Neymar didn't try, especially when top-tier players like Mbappé, Messi, and Ibrahimović couldn't help PSG clinch the Champions League title. However, in professional sports, sometimes choices matter more than effort. Leaving Barcelona and overlooking other top European clubs have significantly hindered Neymar's career trajectory.
Ultimately, history will remember Neymar for his dazzling skills, audacious playstyle, and occasionally, controversial decisions. The move to Saudi Arabia, while financially rewarding, could be another chapter where soccer fans and analysts wonder what might have been.
In an age where footballers are more than just players, but global brands, Neymar's trajectory has been unique. Whether his move to Saudi Arabia will be seen as a shrewd financial move or a missed opportunity to further his soccer legacy remains to be seen. However, for now, the consensus is that Neymar's move signifies the missed potential of a player who once stood shoulder to shoulder with the greats of the game.
