“[Neymar] Was More Committed to Poker” – Ex-Barcelona Star Emmanuel Petit on Brazil’s ‘Wasted Talent’ (Exclusive)

It was in the 2010 season that a young lad from Santos FC grabbed eyeballs with attractive technique and impressive numbers. The 19-year-old Neymar won the Bola de Ouro (the best player award) in Brasileiro Série A, scoring 17 goals and providing nine assists. After rejecting an offer to join Chelsea during the same season, people may have assumed his greatness was just years away. Despite making millions, the winger had other priorities than soccer, according to France legend Emmanuel Petit, who spoke to Essentially Sports in an exclusive interview thanks to OCB Scores.

Despite his enormous talent on the field, Neymar’s injuries and his diminished love for soccer have been a hurdle, according to Petit. Additionally, his top preference was poker, which disappointed Petit. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, he said, “I’m a huge fan of Neymar as a player when he used to love football game you know. I think because of his big injuries as well, for months, out of the pitch. This guy, even while he was playing for Paris Saint-Germain the last two years, his mind was not a hundred percent committed to football. He was more committed to poker, you know. Poker tournament than football games,” revealing the player’s decline.

People questioned Neymar’s commitment last year due to his poker madness, which started in 2014. After losing the first leg 1-0 to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League last year, the Al Hilal player was seen at the European Poker Tour Paris, raising fans’ fury who called him unprofessional. It was also what the 1998 World Cup winner was talking about.

Meanwhile, injuries also interrupted Neymar’s contribution in important tournaments. The 32-year-old’s ankle problem in March last year hampered PSG’s major chance of winning the UEFA Champions League last year. Subsequently, PSG lost even the second leg to Bayern Munich, despite having Lionel Messi and Mbappe leaving the Brazilian underperformed in Paris.

Emmanuel Petit mentions the superpower that Neymar underutilized

With strength and agility in his feet, the player should have competed for more Golden Balls and UCLs. Stating further in the exclusive interview with Essentially Sports, the former Arsenal star said, “But for Neymar, it’s such a wasted talent sometimes when I look at him. This guy has so much power in his feet,” citing his incredible ability with the ball. The 2015 treble winner could not translate it as much as he’d have loved on to the pitch.

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Even though he won 5 Ligue 1 titles, Neymar could not help PSG win a continental trophy. In International soccer, he missed the 2019 Copa America, which Brazil won, keeping him away from any major titles except for the 2013 Confederations Cup. Additionally, he had never won any major individual honors after arriving in Europe. Overall, with all the opportunities at the door, Neymar drifted towards distractions which led the French midfielder to open up about the star as he joined Saudi for a $418 million deal. What do you think of Petit’s statements? Do let us know in the comments. 

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