Neymar had the misfortune of coming up and taking the reigns from R9, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, & Kaka
Guys like Robinho & Adriano crashing out had people souring on the supposed "savior" of Brasil
The injuries can't be ignored and it did feel like at times he doesn't really impact winning but looking at Brasil now...he'll def getting more love in upcoming years
Neymar 2 biggest problems where breaking his back in the World Cup and signing for Barca and PSG. He never truly established/seperated himself as THE MAN once he left Santos. Could argue that he unluckily got caught inbetween the Messi/C Tart Real/Barca propaganda war that no one else was going to win either. And that stats became more of a thing instead of the pure enjoyment and love of the game.
Idk if Neymar was enough to get past Germany in the semi final. But him being injured broke the Brasilian team. If Brasil got to the final and beaten Argentina in the final. He would of been a made man for the rest of his career.
Signing for Barca he was always going to be 2nd fiddle to Messi who himself was still only 26 at the time. So the passing of the torch wasn't happening anytime soon nor the full credit. So he leaves for PSG to try and become the world's best player and to have his own stage. For Neymar PSG made the absolute worst signing for him. They signed the next French superstar who also happens to the local boy coming home. Shared spotlight again. PSG go out last 16 in b2b seasons in Neymars first 2 years which he misses 3 out of the 4 matches due to injury. While in between that his younger teammate wins the World Cup and becomes a Superstar.
Is Neymar a superstar yes. Has been one of the elite players in the world for a period of time yes. Was he ever the face of a winning team no.
The one time Brasil win the Copa he missed the tournament with injury. And while he'll always have the Olympic gold win which means more to Brasil as they had never won it before. In the grand scheme of things no one cares about the Olympics win.
