In a revealing interview with Brazilian football legend Romario, Neymar, the Brazilian superstar, candidly expressed his thoughts on why he has yet to land the prestigious Ballon d’Or, despite to be hailed as one of the great footballers of his generation. The PSG player’s closest victory came in 2015 and 2017, where he finished in third place.
Neymar’s remarkable journey began at Santos, where he amazed fans with his goal-scoring skills, leading to a lucrative move to Barcelona in 2013. At the Catalan club, he formed a trio formidable attacking force with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, known as MSN, dominating European football. In 2017, he made headlines with a record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), costing almost €222 million.
Read more:
Neymar reveals Mbappé’s jealousy towards Messi at PSG
When asked by Romario about his Ballon d’Or aspirations, Neymar cited his injury problems as a major obstacle. Quoting @GingaBonitoHub on It hindered my chances if you think about it, it’s clear.”
The 32-year-old reflected on his time at PSG, saying his peak performance deserved a Ballon d’Or, if not for his recurring injuries. “Anyone who understands football knows that my peak was at PSG. I was in a position to win the Ballon d’Or, but injuries made that difficult. Of course, every player dreams of winning it, but that doesn’t torment me .Life goes on; it wasn’t written, and I accept that,” he concluded.
At PSG, Neymar formed another deadly partnership with the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, but the coveted UEFA Champions League title remained out of reach. The closest he came was in 2020, when he suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Bayern Munich in the final.
Now, still in the colors of Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Neymar’s time in the Middle East has been marked by injury problems. Since August 2023, he has been out for an impressive 474 days, having missed 68 matches, and has only been able to play seven times, scoring just one goal and providing three assists.
Former FC Barcelona manager Javier Bordas also commented on Neymar’s situation with the Ballon d’Or, suggesting that if he had returned to Barcelona he would have undoubtedly won the award. In an exclusive interview with SPORT (reference: Le10Sport), Bordas said: “I always wanted him to stay, and there were avenues for a return. If he had returned, the Ballon d’Or would have been his. He wanted it so much that a few weeks after his departure, he was already considering a return.”
Neymar’s legacy in football is undeniable, with records that speak volumes. During his time at Barcelona, he made 186 appearances, scoring 105 goals and providing 76 assists as part of a historic team that won the treble in the 2014-15 season. Meanwhile, his former teammate Lionel Messi remains the most decorated footballer when it comes to Ballon d’Or, with eight accolades to his name.
