The angry question
Neymar’s new road exit against Lille once again illustrates the Brazilian’s inability to live up to expectations over time. By dint of not wanting to grow, the former Barça would it not be declining in the world hierarchy?
When we saw him miserably jostle Tiago Djalo at the start of stoppage time against LOSC, we first wanted not to believe it. Not impossible. With his past, his three expulsions in Ligue 1 since his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain, the knowledge (normally) that his opponents are always ready to titillate him to get him out of his match, Neymar can’t be able to collect a second yellow card by attacking a player who, it’s fair to say, wants to scratch a few seconds at the end of the game? And yet. He put it back. Djalo on the ground, a yellow card logically released by Benoît Bastien. Already warned, the Brazilian was invited to join the locker room. His first yellow card? A gesture of humor, obviously, towards Benjamin André who was entering the head of the Auriverde. Frankly, at the time, between Djalo and Neymar, we looked for who was 20 years old and who was 29. And when the number 10 of PSG continued his festival by ridiculously causing the clash in the corridors of the Parc des Princes with the even Djalo, we wondered if it was not too much off the road. To think that despite all his experience, all his incredible talent, Neymar will never grow up, Neymar will never be able to stay focused on the field, on the game, and nothing else.
–
Expulsion and lack of rhythm
This new expulsion is also very embarrassing sporting. Returning from injury just before the international break, the Brazilian was able to stay in the capital to ramp up and work for Bayern. With the desire and finally the hope to see Neymar on foot for the outward journey and return of a great Champions League confrontation. He who absolutely needs rhythm (remember his criticisms last year after Dortmund on the precaution of the Parisian staff about him) and therefore to chain the minutes will be there next Wednesday, yes, but will then be suspended the week – next end for the trip to Strasbourg (which precedes the return to Munich). Before then bailing out probably at least two suspension matches in view of his service record. Should we remember that Neymar only took part in 13 L1 matches (for 10 starts) in 31 days this season?
–
How many times per season do we see Neymar focused on his football and turned towards efficiency?
Long led to take over from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the hierarchy of world football, Neymar still hasn’t won a Ballon d’Or France Football, has not won the Champions League since 2015, has still not participated in a World Cup semi-final and he is obviously still just as fragile. With a healthy lifestyle constantly pointed out. Impossible to question its place in the top 3 of the most technical players on the planet, it is undeniable, but for what results? How many times per season do we see Neymar focused on his football and turned towards efficiency? Sometimes no more. A bit like PSG, finally. We are not here to say that he has become an average player. No. But it makes you wonder if we have now waited too long and if, while waiting for a hypothetical (but if necessary and so desirable awareness) Neymar is really part of the caste of the greatest of this sport.
–
