Between Neymar and the Brazilians, relations have been strained to say the least since the 2018 World Cup, during which the Seleção's favorite striker was more noticed by his many falls and his provocations than by his performances. The revelations about his wish to leave Paris Saint-Germain to return to FC Barcelona, only two years after his transfer, had also quite angered his compatriots, who saw him as an immature teenager and far too spoiled.
And then there was the confinement and the return to the country. Out of sight, cloistered in his luxurious residence in Mangaratiba, south of Rio de Janeiro, Neymar has prepared his recovery. He came back more motivated than ever, to the delight of Brazilian aficionados. “From the moment he arrived in Mangaratiba, he focused on work and trained a lot. It shows on the pitch, ”observes Gustavo Villani.
This Brazilian sports commentator from TV Globo remembers the player's first steps at PSG: “He expected to lead the team but from the start it did not go as planned. Tensions with Edinson Cavani and his injuries took a toll on his project. He wanted everything to happen very quickly, when it needed time to mature. "At 28, Neymar is now" at his peak, both technically and physically as well as psychologically, "he believes.
"It had been a long time since we had seen him like that"
For sports journalist André Rizek, the Brazilian striker is now focused on his game. "When he's like that, he's a spectacular player," he rejoices. And to add: "Neymar has a form of crazy, it was a very long time since we had not seen him like that. He no longer worries about whether he is the main element of the team, like in his early days at PSG, when he wanted at all costs to get out of Messi's shadow and was very selfish. He takes on technical leadership, and he does it in a natural way ”.
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This change in behavior, Brazilian fans have also seen. “Normally I don't give him too much importance, but at the moment he's playing really well! »Writes an Internet user. Another appreciates seeing the prodigy Auriverde gain maturity: “The long-awaited moment for the adult Neymar has arrived, that of being the sole protagonist. But be careful not to explode in flight! He warns.
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Because if the attacker "goes back in the esteem of the public, we must not forget that we have been used to idols like Pelé or Ronaldo, whose behavior on the field was also very good. Here, expectations towards Neymar are therefore particularly high ”. For André Rizek, “the relationship between Neymar and the Brazilian supporters has always been one of ups and downs, and that is not likely to change. After all, as they say here, the favorite sport of Brazilians is to win! Before him, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho had not been spared by critics either. "