Withdrawn this season with Paris SG, Neymar must shine with Brazil to attempt a comeback at the 2022 World Cup and return to the race for the Ballon d'Or, a trophy from which he has been away for years.
Third in the prestigious individual award in 2015, then in 2017, the striker then demoted in the world hierarchy when he was promised to be the worthy successor to Kaka (2007), Ronaldinho (2005) and Ronaldo (1997, 2002), the last Brazilian winners.
"I think he missed his chance for the Ballon d'Or. He may make a big World Cup, but I see him rather losing ground against rising stars like (Kylian) Mbappé or (Erling) Haaland”
, summarizes for AFP Mauro Cezar Pereira, columnist for the Brazilian site Uol.
At 30, "Ney" has just completed his least prolific season on an individual level since his arrival in Europe, with 13 goals and 8 assists in 28 matches with the Parisian club.
For the first time in his career, he did not score a single goal in the Champions League.
Once again, the Brazilian number 10 suffered physical problems, in particular an ankle injury which sidelined him for 13 games.
Last Chance World Cup?
But injuries do not explain everything: during his five seasons at PSG, Neymar has always played around 30 matches on average, but his total goals describe a downward curve, from 28 in 2017-2018 to only 13 during the last exercise.
The Brazilian is no longer in the top 10 of the Ballon d'Or ranking since his third place in 2017. Is it already too late to dream of consecration?
“It will depend more on a possible coup with Brazil than on his performance with PSG. This year's World Cup may be his last chance
, ”said Gustavo Hofman, who follows the Seleçao for the ESPN channel.
In selection, Neymar has posted more than correct statistics this season, with three goals and four assists in six matches.
The rallies in the national team, with which he will face South Korea on Thursday in a friendly, then Japan on Monday, were for him a bright spot in the middle of the Parisian grayness.
The match against Chile (4-0, a goal from Neymar), at the mythical Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, where he was treated to a standing ovation, at the end of March, came at the right time, after boos from the Parc des Princes who followed the Parisian elimination in the Champions League against Real Madrid, future champion of Europe.
With Brazil, Neymar has fun and gets along wonderfully with young talents like Paqueta, Vinicius, Raphinha or Antony.
And unlike PSG, where Messi, and especially Mbappé, are also in the spotlight, no one seems able to overshadow him in the selection.
Madrid's Vinicius, scorer in the C1 final on Saturday against Liverpool (1-0), "was the best Brazilian player of the last European season, but Neymar remains the absolute reference for the Seleçao", assures Gustavo Hofman.
"Bigger Dream"
For Mauro Cezar Pereira, this status can allow him to earn points in the race for the Ballon d'Or for next season, if he stands out in Qatar.
“The game of the Brazil team is built around him, so if he is in good shape he can be decisive,”
he explains.
Criticized for his lifestyle and his bling-bling style, “Ney” had spread his spleen in October by telling the DAZN platform that the Mondial-2022 could be his “last”.
But another statement from this interview, which went more unnoticed, showed how motivated he was to shine in Qatar.
“I will do everything to get there in great shape, I will do everything to win with my country, to realize my biggest dream since I was little. And I hope I can get there
,” he warned.