In 2017 Summer, the whole football world was left in shock when Neymar Jr., one of the world’s best left Barcelona to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in a record-breaking €222 million transfer.
Transfer That reshaped the transfer market
Neymar Jr., who was only 25 was regarded as one of the bests, his €222 million transfer fee broke all the market records and set a new trend in the market values for the upcoming transfers. Everyone has their opinion on this, whether this is positive or negative for the market.
All football clubs faced skyrocketing prices for top talents as the benchmark for elite players doubled. This transfer catalyzed the idea of extremely expensive deals. Additionally, it was an advantage for the players in negotiations through buyout clauses and ambitious career moves.
This transfer redefined the dynamics of football economics, making powerhouses like PSG and Manchester City central figures in the transfer market to reshape the club.
Why did Neymar leave?
According to me, Neymar’s motivation to make the move was a mix of personal ambitions and professional aspirations. Despite enjoying all the moments and being part of the legendary “MSN” trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, Neymar was often seen as the second best, overshadowed by Messi’s dominance.
What I think about the Brazilian is that he overestimated his potential. He wanted to step out of Messi’s shadow and carve out his crafted legacy as the head. PSG offered him a contract with the promise of being the face of their team. There was no other star in PSG at that time to match the hype and talent Neymar had. He aimed to win the Ballon d’Or, a goal he thought would be easier to achieve in Paris.
The MSN Legacy
Neymar’s continuing at Barcelona could’ve marked one of the most dominant eras in football history. The trio of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar (MSN) was the perfect mix of creativity, skill, teamwork, and finishing. Together these three were striking fear into defenses across Europe. Barcelona achieved the treble in 2015 thanks to all three stars. These three had a level of chemistry rarely seen in sporting history, both on and off the field.
In my opinion, if Neymar had stayed his career path would’ve been quite different from what it is now. Suffering injuries, boos, and criticism was never the fate in Barcelona. The fans always had his back even in tough times and expected him to mark an era at the club as one of the club’s greatest ever.
I believe that Neymar’s presence would’ve saved Barcelona from all the humiliations faced in the Champions League. He was an evergreen winger and would’ve supported Messi in the critical moments upfront. A stable Messi and Neymar partnership might also have eased Barcelona’s transition into a new generation, allowing the club to remain in Europe’s top teams list.