Brazilian footballer, Neymar, has officially joined the Saudi Pro League with club Al Hilal. Is Neymar’s move part of his ambition to become the world’s top footballer or a reflection of frustration? Neymar is the reflection of a player with big ambitions. What he has done in his ten years of career in Europe recently shows how much he strives to be the best. So when he decided to move to the Saudi Arabian league, which was below the European league, of course it raised questions.
Former Barcelona player and also Al Hilal, Jonathan Soriano told DAZN that Neymar’s decision to move to Al Hilal was a reflection of his frustration after failing to shine with PSG.
“Neymar has enough quality to win the Champions Cup. After Messi and Ronaldo were gone, it was an opportunity for Neymar to lead European football with Mbappe and Haaland. Unfortunately, he has given up and is more money-oriented,” said Soriano.
It’s not without reason that Soriano made this comment. At the age of 31 and supported by his extraordinary competence, Neymar is actually still able to lead a team to compete in European football. Moreover, Ronaldo and Messi, two figures that have prevented him from shining have left Europe. So it was really surprising when Neymar went along with him to leave the European continent.
Even though it is predicted that he will become the most shining player, in fact, Neymar’s football career is not as smooth as one might imagine. His decision to accept PSG’s offer six years ago, which he hoped would change his luck, was far from what he expected. Neymar is still Neymar
As is known, even though he achieved great success with Barcelona, Neymar’s starlight still lost to the team icon, Lionel Messi. The big name Messi is too difficult to pass. So Neymar was looking for a shortcut by leaving the Catalan club to immediately become the center of attention. However, it seems that PSG is not the ideal place for Neymar to become a superstar.
Even though he succeeded in making the rich French club king in his own country, in fact Neymar brought the club’s fortune at the European level. Neymar failed to present the Champions League trophy for PSG, something that was expected of him.
His highest achievement was when he brought PSG to the 2020 Champions League final. Despite appearing brilliantly since the early phases and being the inspiration for the team’s victory, Neymar actually slumped in the final round. PSG lost 0-1 to Bayern Munich and failed to win their first Champions League trophy.
The story of Neymar’s failure continued in the following seasons. Not only failed to meet the club’s expectations, Neymar even began to lose his place as the team’s main star. A series of injuries and fitness issues have wrecked his career. And his position as the team’s main star began to be shifted by a rising star, Kylian Mbappe.
Yes, it can’t be helped. Neymar has failed to fulfill his ambition of becoming a first-class footballer. Meanwhile the club and the fans began to lose respect for him. And the exit door began to open. His former club, Barcelona, was rumored to be his port if Neymar really left PSG this summer.
However, this news only became a passing wind when Barcelona did not show seriousness in bringing him home. And Neymar’s fate is even more unclear. Neymar may start to feel frustrated and don’t want to speculate anymore. So when an offer came from the Saudi Arabian league club, Al Hilal, he immediately said yes.
Yes, on Wednesday, 16 August 2023 Al Hilal announced that he had entered into a two-year contract agreement worth 80 million pounds. Furthermore, Neymar will join several other European stars such as Ruben Neves, Sergej Milankovic Savic, Kalidou Kolibaly and Malcom who have already joined.
Now Neymar has left the glitter of European football, the world which is considered the pinnacle of world football and is heading for a lower level. This is like an anomaly for a player who has the potential to become a world star. Is this a reflection of the frustration of a Neymar? Maybe yes. European football is no longer a comfortable place for him to pursue a career.
But on the other hand, it could also be that Neymar is now thinking more realistically. Lowering the level of ambition to something better for him to do than keep speculating on things just doesn’t seem destined for him.
ASL
