Though never minced by words, Neymar reserves an interview only for the few, rarely ever glimpsing the internal dynamics between Romário. For the former Brazilian soccer star Romário, there were confessions, memories of not such high flown self-critical thoughts, too, as Brazil opened his cards on Kylian Mbappé, rollercoaster periods at PSG, and where Lionel Messi fits in with it all. But most striking of all, however, came when he described ego as the most significant villain in the world's most-remarked attacking trio. More revealingly than an unusually vulnerable Neymar, the subtleties in this discussion revealed fractures in what had been -what was supposed to have been-European soccer's dynasties.
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What's wrong with Real Madrid star
Neymar and Mbappé Twin titans of modern soccer that never really meshed. For Neymar, it all started when Messi turned up in Paris Saint-Germain. On Mbappé, Neymar was candid yet respectful: "He's not annoying. We had a little spat. In the beginning, he was key. I used to call him Golden Boy. We had a good relationship, but when Messi came, I think he got a little jealous. He didn't want to share me with anyone," Neymar shared.
This was not a singular moment of inner turmoil but a product of what sounded like poisoned air in the way of harmony. Neymar admitted ego within PSG was insurmountable. "Ego is good, but you have to know that you don't play alone. You need the guy next to you. It's impossible for things to work if no one runs and no one helps," he said. It has been more of an attack on the club or his teammates than an admission of guilt from the forward, who equally has had his fair share of criticism for his behavior both on and off the pitch.
Even with all the conflicts, Neymar insists he lived his best professional spell in Paris, and without those injuries, he would have already won the famous Ballon d'Or. "My peak was at PSG. Playing the way I was, I definitely would've won the Ballon d'Or. But the injuries got in the way," he said. Still, Neymar made clear individual awards was never his main purpose. This is elaborated from one memory after leaving Barcelona with a question that Messi asked of him. He asked me, 'Do you want to be the best in the world? I'll make you the best in the world.' But that wasn't it. It was personal reasons. Financially, it was better, and there were Brazilians there. I took a chance, but it wasn't about being the best in the world."
Career and Messi factor
Neymar's bond with Messi is one of the most compelling aspects of his career. He remembered the moment when the Argentine was important, in a way, to help him reach European soccer. At first, Neymar struggled with Barcelona and lost his confidence. "I went six months without being able to dribble anyone. One day, during halftime of a game against Athletic Bilbao, I started crying out of frustration. Messi came and knocked on the door, told me he was there to help, that I should play like I did at Santos, without pressure. After that, I started playing with more confidence," Neymar revealed. That is a tale of brotherhood between the two players and how Messi acted as a mentor in Neymar's development.
Neymar explains that the spell in Barcelona was simply magical, with career-defining successes popping up one after another. The titles were eight in total, while the 2014/15 Champions League, coupled with Messi and Suarez, featured probably among the deadliest attacking trios soccer has ever had. The decision to leave Barça and assume the mantle at PSG marked a new chapter full of both challenges and controversies.
Still, the promise of being the star was placed under unprecedented pressures at PSG. While Neymar secured domestic titles and turned in some key moments, the dream of European glory never came. He pointed to the internal atmosphere of the club as one of the reasons. "If no one helps each other, it's impossible to win anything," he said. To Neymar, this lack of cohesion and the collision of egos among the players explain why PSG, with stars like him, Messi, and Mbappé, has never reached its full potential.
Now at Al-Hilal, Neymar will find himself in a completely alien environment. For all the speculations over whether he would be registered into the Saudi Pro League, one thing the Brazilian did not mince words was over coach Jorge Jesus and optimism of the future to come. At Saudi Arabia-a move many think is beyond belief-the high-profile transfer now marks yet another bold chapter in a career defined by bold decisions.