“Football Is Not Figure Skating” – 21 Days After Leaving ‘Hell’ PSG, Neymar Jr Lambasted for His Antics & Skills

Neymar Jr. joined Al Hilal last month in a deal worth $96.8 million. The time spent in the French capital wasn’t cherished by the Brazilian soccer star. At the end of his contract, fans and management both just wanted to get rid of him quickly. In a recent interview, Neymar stated that he and Lionel Messi both went through hell at Parc des Princes.

The fans who were expecting magical seasons with the trio of Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi were left disappointed. However, it didn’t call for the treatment that Neymar and Messi received during their tenure. In another interview, a French journalist still had some remarks left for Neymar.

Neymar is out of sight but not out of mind

Neymar let out his feelings in a recent interview and discussed what he went through during his time at PSG. Only appearing in 173 games during the 6 years he spent with the French club left fans frustrated. Always on the bad books of the pundits, they continue to share their criticism even after Neymar has left.

In a recent interview, Stephane Guy, a French sports journalist, said, “On the artistic side of Neymar, there is no doubt, but that’s not the debate. Football is not figure skating, we don’t give choreography notes.” The remark highlights that Neymar’s “Living through Hell” comment has not gone well with the fans of PSG and Ligue 1.

Missing the star during crucial moments of the game also left fans perplexed. Considering the circumstances, when leaving the country, Neymar had only one thing to say about his experience: “Living through Hell”. Lionel Messi also faced the same situation, although there were reasons for the same. This targeting of star players might not have been PSG’s best move.

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Several reasons exist from a fan’s perspective that might make one feel that the treatment was justified. But, looking at everything that happened in general, the treatment was uncalled for. The Lionel Messi deal looked doomed from its inception, but what made the fans turn against Neymar?

The sad story of Neymar’s time at PSG

Neymar was the first move that PSG made in their attempts to fulfill their dream of winning the Champions League. In 2017, Neymar was one of the best players in Barcelona’s 6-5 comeback win over PSG. He was also part of the Barcelona team that won the treble in 2014-15. Neymar was all that PSG needed. With Kylian Mbappe at the front as well, it felt like a dream move that would seal the UCL win for the club.

Injuries and Neymar have a long history. It is one of the biggest reasons why the fans were left upset. In his first season at PSG, Neymar missed the second leg against Real Madrid in the round of 16 after citing a metatarsal injury.

He then missed the same stage against Bayern Munich in 2019. Additionally, in 2023, he missed out on the first leg against Bayern. The closest he came to winning the Champions League was when the team made it to the finals in 2020, where they lost 0-1 to Bayern.

For a player with flair such as Neymar, he’s bound to get fouled more. Ligue 1 has changed its rules considerably with regard to this, but it wasn’t something that could be fixed in a day. The league now has more stringent rules for defense and tackles. The tale of Neymar and PSG, however, will always remain one of the most debated topics of modern soccer.

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