Should Neymar leave PSG to be taken seriously again?
Neymar made headlines all over the world last summer as he completed a world record €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona. It smashed the previous mark but while it confirmed the Brazilian as one of the game's foremost talents, it proved a double-edged sword as it brought a level of scrutiny never before placed on him.
Within the time it took him to sign a deal worth an estimated €500,000 net per week, he had stepped out of the shadow of Lionel Messi at Camp Nou and become the fundamental building block for what is arguably the most ambitious football project anywhere in the world.
In the intervening period, it is clear that he has been caught in the hubris surrounding his move, whipped up to a level rarely seen at the pinnacle of the game, caught making persistent demands to a club that is caught in the thrall of his aura.
Neither the directors nor head coach Unai Emery has had the authority to tame the superstar.
His first season in the French capital has ended in disappointment. There will be no Champions League final for the 26-year-old, as his club were knocked out of the competition tamely by Real Madrid in the round of 16.
Neymar, meanwhile, was forced to watch from the sidelines, ruled out because of a broken foot that could see him miss the rest of the domestic season, potentially jeopardising his preparations for the World Cup in the summer.
It was an experience that led to further speculation over his future. PSG have failed to attain the levels expected of them while their status outside the prestige leagues of Spain and England has meant that they remain looked down upon by pundits and fans, despite their best efforts to win respect.
But who is treating Neymar as a joke? Perhaps the Spanish media, who have whipped up a circus in defence of Barcelona, who were left red-faced as their prized possession for the future was whisked from under their noses.
“The Spanish aren't like the French; they are against PSG. For them, we're now rivals,” PSG sporting director Antero Henrique told L’Equipe in March, irked by the constant questioning over the player’s future.
“Spanish journalists have spoken to guys who say that Neymar isn't happy - have you asked Cristiano Ronaldo if he's happy at Real Madrid?”
PSG remain a serious club with ambitions that match any other outfit in Europe, despite the bitter taste of yet another European disappointment, which will linger until September, when the European Cup cycle begins anew for them.
Their performance in the Champions League over the past five years outstrips any team in England, with only one of the Premier League’s top outfits – Manchester City – breaching the top 10 in UEFA’s coefficient ranking.
They are a club that deserve more respect.
It is also important to ponder where Neymar might move. The options appear non-existent and would appear to rule out the possibility of him leaving over the course of the summer.
He is not willing to move to Real Madrid while Cristiano Ronaldo remains top dog there, a situation that is set to persist for at least another year, while Barcelona cannot afford to buy the forward back.
Manchester United or Manchester City might have the money, but the player’s entourage have indicated that he is not interested in a move to the Premier League at present.
Some sections of the media have whipped up a storm that simply is not relevant at present.
PSG remain an attractive proposition for Neymar, too. They can offer him financial rewards that are unmatched in the world game, while at Parc des Princes he has the opportunity to write himself into history by being the star man as they seek to hit the pinnacle of the game.
But if he is to realise his potential, he needs to knuckle down. More focus is required from him in training, while he must learn to appreciate the players around him who are also capable: his talent alone will achieve this if he plays as a member of the team.
Neymar has a further four years on his contract in Paris, and while it is generally accepted that he is unlikely to see them out in France, he is not in a state of urgency to leave now.
PSG’s ambition remains undimmed, and with the Brazilian at the forefront of their attack, they can realise those dreams. It is a challenge, however, that requires the full commitment of all of those involved.