To many, Neymar Jr. will be one of the best soccer players to play in Brazil. However, for a large section of fans, the Brazilian star is an example of a player with massive potential who failed to live up to his hype. Fans had a lot of expectations from Neymar, with many considering him the successor to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite that, with the player playing in the Saudi Pro League at the age of 32, it’s safe to say the player has failed to deliver on the set expectations.
While there might be a lot of reasons behind the player’s fall from grace, former PSG star Javier Pastore has given an interesting take justifying the player’s failure to emulate the same success as Messi and Cristiano. Speaking to French media outlet LaNacion, the ex-PSG star questioned the player’s mindset, claiming the Brazilian did not give his everything to soccer.
Pastore stated, “A phenomenon, very good people. He lives his life the way he wants. No one is going to manage his life. Taking out Messi, I have never seen another player as talented as Ney. He has all the qualities. Reaction? The best. Speed? He is very fast. Ball driving? The best. Dribbling? He does what he wants for you. Goal? With either foot. Leap? He goes very high. He has everything. If you say a dream player, how do you want him? You say Neymar.”
He then added, “If he had wanted, he would fight for the Ballon d’Or against Messi, Cristiano, and whoever, but he lives his life in a different way. He does not live for football 100%. I love him very much. I have written to him quite a bit now, during his injury. At first, I expected someone arrogant, and I was wrong.”
Neymar has often been criticized for his lifestyle. The player was recently spotted partying on his private yacht just months after a horrific ligament injury, upsetting many fans. However, it doesn’t seem like the player plans to change how he operates anytime soon.
Neymar Jr. was slammed for gaining weight during his rehabilitation
The Al Hilal star got into massive controversy earlier in January. Multiple images of the player surfaced on social media, showing his less-than-favorable physique. Fans were considerably upset with the player’s weight gain, with many suggesting that the Brazilian wasn’t focusing on his recovery and rather spent his time partying and drinking. Well, this did not sit well with the player, who hit back with an Instagram post.
Neymar, replying to fans, stated he had only gained beauty weight and that there was no fat on his body. He then also slammed trolls for circulating fake images of his physique as he flipped the bird on his Instagram story before telling them to mind their own words—well, less polite words!
Do you think Neymar Jr. failed to live up to expectations? Let us know in the comments below.