Is Neymar the unluckiest footballer?

Neymar is one of the most gifted players of this or any other generation. His playing style, personality and the decisions that have shaped his career also make him one of the most polarising athletes of recent times.

But is he also one of the unluckiest players we’ve ever known? Seb Stafford-Bloor explains why he might be. Marco Bevilacqua illustrates.

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#Neymar #PSG

[__dane__]

After hearing how many times he has injured an ankle, it’s surprising he still has feet

[Jeff_x]

The fact that most people consider him the 3rd best player of his generation despite not living to his full potential tells you all you need to know.

[adesperatelylonelysir]

The sadder thing about his career is that even when he did show up for Brazil he was often let down by his teammates (Copa America final, Brazil vs Croatia, Germany, Belgium)

Hopefully fate is kinder to him in whatever years he has left in the tank.

[DenDave_]

Some time ago, he and Barcelona kept complaining that the referees didnt protect Neymar enough and that opposition players disproportionally targeted him. Many people disregarded it at the time, saying they should stop complaining and get on with in. But with the power of hindsight, it is practically inarguable that Neymar's career has suffered from injuries, many of which were caused by opponents challenges. It is only in our imagination that we may see what Neymar could've achieved, had he been able to reach is true heights.

[PVentura]

whats crazy about Neymar is he's rarely if ever out of form even when coming back from injuries

[abhijai]

The crazy thing about Neymar he is never out of form. Many players lose their career after suffering many injuries like Bale, Hazard, etc. But whenever he is injured and makes a comeback, he will be at top form from the first game itself.

[CJK]

I used to think It was just him leaving Barca that made him an underachiever but it’s really just fate tbh His prime years were alongside Ronaldo’s and Messi’s and it was never going to compare by the time they started slowing down U had young phenoms like mbappe who bursted into the scene and hasn’t looked back since it’s as simple as this Cr7 and Messi are once in a lifetime while Neymar is just once in a generation

[Team__King]

An absolute gem of a footballer, astounds Me that some people miss the impact he has for clubs and country

X

[kyril]

Neymar is still a phenomenal player despite all the ups and down. He entertained the footballing world with his flair and skills and for that he’ll always be special imo

[jacobk]

Extremely unlucky to be injured so often and at such key moments but I can't help but feel that if his style of play makes him particularly prone to injury then he should have received coaching/conditioning to mitigate this, whether that's PSG or the player refusing, who knows? I'm no coach but I do know that in the modern game you can be a technical player and not be injured so often by making small changes to your game and lifestyle. I hope that he gets some type of opportunity towards the end of his career to show the world how talented he really is.

[arsenalunsungplays]

Brazil used to have players in several positions who have developed and honed their craft, often so uniquely they become familiar names.

[mukeshC]

Neymar legit would've won a Ballon'dor if he was fit most of the time. It is CRAZY how unfortunate he's been. As a Barca fan I'll always say "he shouldn't have lfet Barca" but I must acknowledge that he indeed is a great footballer.

[schnx]

I am from Germany and this reminds me of Marco Reus who had a lot of injuries as well, missed out the World Cup 2014 and could never reach his full potential. Neymar ( hopefully) has a couple of years ahead of him as a professional footballer and i hope he will not get injured that many times in his future though i dont know if that is realistic. If he stays disciplined and maybe adapts his playstyle he can become much more efficient and valuable for his team imo. Anyways, great video again Tifo! ❤
Edit : Marco Reus is still active as a professional footballer as well and i hope he will stay fit and healthy, too. Both such fantastic players and somewhat tragic figures in their own way. I wish them and you guys all the best!❤

[fsker_karma]

Legend in my eyes. Really helped me enjoy the sport in the early days.

[arshavindrameh]

Injuries took away Neymar s explosiveness

[heesingsia]

Jack Wilshire had similar problems with injuries. Only difference is his career ended much earlier

[solitude]

Generational talent alongside Ronaldo and Messi who didn’t get to win Ballon d'Or or lift World Cup trophy. Still a big name and will always be a legend for entertaining us so many years.

[ichbins]

I always thought that his character problems where really heightened by his devastating injury in the 2014 World Cup. I feel like that was the moment his trajectory took a turn for the worse. I think with him failing in the Brazilian national team the pressure of having to outlive the likes of Pelé and Ronaldo on a national level and Messi at Barca became too much all whilst maybe losing some trust in his body. That’s why he went to PSG: To atleast escape the Messi pressure. I’d argue without that injury and the following 7-1 defeat Neymar would have stayed for Barca atleast until his contract was up and would not have taken the first possible exit.

[UcheBuzz]

He is really unlucky. I started noticing it in 2014 world cup during that colombia match

[Nathan]

Neymar’s biggest mistake was going to PSG, not leaving Barca, if we went somewhere else like a prem team or Bayern his career would’ve been way better than it seems now. He’s wasted years upon years now at psg