“When Neymar is happy, everything is always easier …“These words were spoken just a few days ago by one of the players who knows the Brazilian star best: Thiago Silva. Selection partner, teammate at Paris Saint-Germain for three seasons, the defender has always praised the qualities technical, obviously, but also human of number 10.
Neymar
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Best passer in Brazilian history, soon to be top scorer
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And, one thing is certain in view of the first weeks of the Copa América: with his selection, Neymar is in heaven. During the first three group matches in Brazil, the Parisian’s contribution is without appeal: scorer and decisive passer in the first match, scorer in the second, and decisive passer in the third match, in the very last seconds of the meeting. As a symbol: the only time Brazil stalled during this group stage was during their last meeting, against Ecuador. A match where Neymar had been spared and put on the bench …
In a Copa América which is played at home, the Brazilian shines with his selection. Neymar has just become the best passer in the history of the Seleçao with 48 offerings, ahead of Pelé. And if he still scores ten goals in his international career, which takes the path given his age (29 years) and his performance, he will also exceed the “King” in this category, and will therefore be the top scorer and the best. ferryman of Brazilian history. Mind-blowing statistics for a player who, let us remember, does not play at the center-forward position.
“It is a great honor for me to be part of the history of the Brazilian selection. To be honest, my dream has always been to play for the national team. I never imagined reaching such numbers, he said after beating Pelé’s record for assists against Colombia. These numbers are nothing compared to my pride to play for Brazil, to represent my country, my family.”
The past two years have been really complicated
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These good performances and these records broken with the Seleçao emerge after another mixed season for Neymar in club. When playing, there is little to fault the Brazilian apart from a few finishing issues that came to light in the second half of the season. The problem is that Neymar plays (too?) Little. This season, he only took part in 18 Ligue 1, 3 National Cup and 9 Champions League matches. A record too thin for a player of his caliber.
The Brazilian number 10 is not responsible for these absences, however. But his attitude and lifestyle have been singled out a few times since his signing in the capital. However, these same criticisms disappear when “Ney” displays his magic, as he could have done on the lawn of Manchester United or during the confrontation against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
If Neymar is unanimous in his country, his case divides among the followers and supporters of the club of the capital. So where does the problem lie for the player? The answer may be found in Thiago Silva’s statement, transcribed above. When Neymar is happy, Neymar treats. But when Neymar is not fulfilled, Neymar annoys. And number 10 was not in the shape of his life in recent months, and seemed very affected by the health crisis in particular. “It’s very moving for me, I’ve been through so much. These last two years have been really complicated (…) It’s an atypical, difficult moment. All over the world, not just here. Being an example for some fills me with joy“, he confided to the microphone of Brazilian television after the victory against Colombia.
But the coming months are already shaping up to be brighter for the player. Neymar, who recently affirmed and repeated that he was happy at the club, has just extended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain until June 2025. On the sporting front, Paris will strengthen, with the more than probable arrivals of Donnarumma and Hakimi, added to that already concluded from Wijnaldum. According to various sources, including some from Spain, the Brazilian pushes with Mbappé to convince him to stay in Paris, by his side. A new season opens for Neymar, his fifth at PSG. Maybe the one where he will finally get everyone to agree, like in Brazil?
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