Neymar

[domalino]

And now you're putting words in my mouth. It's genuinely beneath you and not what I've come to expect from your comments over the years.

If you go back over my initial post, you'd maybe see that I've not really criticised him for anything other than not fulfilling what I thought was his potential.

I've not criticised him for not playing in England, I've not criticised him for playing in France and I've not blamed him for Brazil's lack of quality throughout his career. All I've said is that he's just not ended up being what I thought he would be.

Again, if you were watching him over a decade ago and thought this is how his career would go, then you and I had very different ideas about his capabilities.

When Iw atched him play for Santos I thought he'd never make it in Europe. Too flash, too lightweight. I was completely wrong.

Perhaps if you articulate what your expectations of him were you might make a convincing argument? So far you've just said a lot of vague stuff and that Ronaldinho won a balon d'or and neymar didn't.

 

[MadchesterCity]

In Europe he has 359 games, 375 goals and assists. Nearly 30 trophies, Brazils all time top scorer. Treble winner with Barcelona.

It’s one of the most outstanding, incredible records of the last 50 years. The only reason people say he’s been a disappointment is because he didn’t play in England.

Comparing him to Ronaldinho is mad, Neymar had a much better career, was a much better professional and if he’d been around in a time without Messi/Ronaldo he’d have multiple Balons d’Or.

Ronaldinho was by far the better player though

 

[mexico1970]

Happy for him that he's joined the football equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters, I hope they get invited into the CL it would piss the cartel off no end ;)

 

[Tugay One Cup]

When Iw atched him play for Santos I thought he'd never make it in Europe. Too flash, too lightweight. I was completely wrong.

Well that's obviously the crux of the issue. I saw him and thought he had everything to be on Messi's level. Obviously I was wrong as well. Hindsight, I guess.

Perhaps if you articulate what your expectations of him were you might make a convincing argument? So far you've just said a lot of vague stuff and that Ronaldinho won a balon d'or and neymar didn't.

To be fair, I didn't think I'd end up in a position where I'd need to defend myself vehemently but I guess this is a football forum and I should have known better. Hindsight, I guess.

And, once again, I haven't mentioned anything about any Balon d'Ors. Genuinely couldn't give less of a shit about it.

All of this could have been avoided if you'd really paid attention to this bit:

When I saw him at Santos I thought he was going to be one of the best players of all time.

Maybe you thought that was hyperbole but I was speaking literally. Look, it's our good friend hindsight again.

 

[mexico1970]

Neymar is level with Pele on goals scored for Brazil although he has played significantly more games, still a great achievement though.

 

[kun]

Happy for him that he's joined the football equivalent of the Harlem Globetrotters, I hope they get invited into the CL it would piss the cartel off no end ;)

Idk if this is just a joke but I have seen this idea put forward seriously so

That wouldn’t just piss off the cartel it would piss off me and 90+% of fans as it would be fucking stupid. Saudi Arabia is nowhere near Europe.

It’s a European competition. If they want that level of competition, they should focus on improving the Asian Champions League - and getting people from Asia to actually watch that instead of European football. There are 4.7 billion people in Asia and only 700 million people in Europe. There is more than enough potential to grow the Asian Champions League and the Saudi Pro League to the level of top European competition without making a mockery of UEFA.

 

[Grealish’s Shinpads]

He’s had a solid career but can’t help but think that he wasted his talent over there and now with this move to Saudi. In hindsight the move to PSG to escape from Messi’s shadow ruined his career

 

[mexico1970]

Idk if this is just a joke but I have seen this idea put forward seriously so

That wouldn’t just piss off the cartel it would piss off me and 90+% of fans as it would be fucking stupid. Saudi Arabia is nowhere near Europe.

It’s a European competition. If they want that level of competition, they should focus on improving the Asian Champions League - and getting people from Asia to actually watch that instead of European football. There are 4.7 billion people in Asia and only 700 million people in Europe. There is more than enough potential to grow the Asian Champions League and the Saudi Pro League to the level of top European competition without making a mockery of UEFA.

Mate football is steamrolling to becoming a circus, it's much better to embrace it and welcome it than just deny it is happening.

I will accept that if we ignore the money and just turn teams out without anyone having the billions I would probably enjoy it more, as it is it's a circus we are a part of and for me the more the merrier until it blows chunks and pulls back a bit from the madness we have now.

In short I would like to see a transition from where football is to where it becomes a lot less about the money, I will watch city if we dragged 11 lads out of a pub as long as they wore the shirt with some pride.

 

[not my fault!]

So this could be the deal that sparks a rush for top players. Him moving to Saudi Arabia gives PSG the money city demanded for Bernardo, also helps them keep Mbappé who suggested he’d renew if they sign Silva!
You’d suspect if that happens we go balls deep for someone on top of the other‘s currently linked to us.

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

£4.96 per second, the boffins at talksport have worked out. £32 in the space it took me to type tgis.

Not a bud gig.