Neymar “should have won five Ballon d’Ors” according to Buffon

Gianluigi Buffon still has great esteem for Neymar, even if the two men only shared one season together, at PSG (in 2018-2019). During his professional career extended between 1995 and 2023 (1,151 matches), the legendary Italian goalkeeper faced numerous players, whether in the jersey of Parma (two appearances), Juventus Turin (two appearances) or even PSG and, of course, Italy. The 2006 world champion was questioned by Corriere della Sera regarding the identity of the strongest player he faced during his storied career. And obviously, he had to think about the answer to give.

Neymar, better than Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi or Iniesta

“Difficult to choose, I played against three generations: Zidane, Ronaldo, Messi, Cristiano, Iniesta…”, rewound Buffon, who then had to make a choice which should give rise to debate. “Choose one? Neymar. For the player and the boy that he is, he should have won five Ballons d’Or,” the new head of the Italian football delegation bluntly assured regarding a Neymar who could never do better than 3rd (in 2015 and 2017) in the supreme individual award.

Absent from the nominees in 2022 then 2024, Neymar, now 32 years old, seems far from being able to win a Ballon d'Or. Which was not the idea when he joined PSG from FC Barcelona in the summer of 2017 in order to become the total leader of the capital club.

Now at Al-Hilal, the Brazilian continues to be talked about for his numerous injuries or his behavior off the field while he has only appeared 7 times in Saudi Arabia since his arrival for nearly 90 million euros now more than a year and a half ago. “There are no negotiations underway for Neymar to leave Al-Hilal. He is under contract and very happy there. Neymar's father and I are the only ones who know about Neymar's future. I don’t know where all these rumors come from,” Pini Zahavi, the player’s agent, insisted on denying his client’s future on Sunday.