It was August 2017 when Neymar was linked with the potential Barcelona exit for the first time. Eventually, this crazy rumour got real: Paris Saint-Germain triggered his €222million release clause and made the Brazilian the most expensive player ever. Neymar insisted he didn't leave Barca for the money but to become the best player in the world which wasn't so easy with Leo Messi as your teammate.
Two years have gone and Neymar is now allegedly close to the PSG departure. This Sunday, June 16, L'Equipe reported a mind-blowing story: the Parisians are said to be willing to let the Brazilian leave if a suitable offer arrives with Barca linked with the potential return of the prodigal son.
Guess what? Ex-Blaugrana and vocal British pundit Gary Lineker has known it all along! That's what he wrote on his personal Twitter account when the first rumours on Neymar's Barca exit only emerged in the media: "Oh Neymar, there is only one direction to go from FC Barcelona and that's backwards".
In fact, Lineker's words could have been prophetical. At PSG, Neymar has never managed to win the Champions League; moreover, his neverending ankle injuries didn't allow him to play in the most crucial stages of this competition. This season, the Brazilian missed both legs of the UCL Round of 16 against Manchester United while last year he only played in the first match of the aggregate 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid in the same round.
Moreover, Neymar is no longer the Parisians' best player and precious asset. While trying to leave Messi's shadow, he has found himself behind Kylian Mbappe, the 20-year-old World Champion with France and the 2018 Ballon d'Or nominee.
Neymar vs Mbappe compared by WhoScored:
Neymar wasn't able to scoop any international trophies either. His Brazil were stopped by Belgium in the World Cup quarter-finals in 2018 while the player himself got heavily criticised for his diving antics. As for the 2019 Copa America tournament, the Brazilian was ruled out of the squad as got injured just some DAYS before the competition kicked off in his home country.
Neymar's transfer value is set to drop significantly, moreover, he is also accused of the alleged rape. It seems that Lineker was right after all. There is one direction to go from FC Barcelona and that's only backwards.
It remains to be seen whether Barcelona are going to splash the cash on Neymar. There are still strong talks that they have already agreed with Antoine Griezmann whose release clause drops down from €200million to €120million on July 1. Will they afford to sign TWO superstars?
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