By Mike Parrott
Neymar is arguably the most disrespected player in world football. For the past three seasons, the Brazilian has been lighting up the French League and Europe with only ridicules coming his way.
The 27-year-old is arguably one of the best Brazilian players of all time. However, for someone with his remarkable CV, he is easily the most disrespected player in world football at the moment.
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Neymar's stats are incredible for club and country.
He's currently third for Brazil in goals, only one behind Ronaldo Nazario, and 16 behind Pele. He's also fifth in caps for the Selecao, trailing leader Cafu by 41 caps.
However, Neymar is still 27 as previously stated.
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He could easily surpass both of these stats and become the most decorated player for Brazil's National team by the time he retires.
Then again the disrespect aimed towards Neymar in regards to the National team has only been about team success, never individual.
If anything, the disrespect for Neymar has only came since he departed Barcelona for Paris.
After winning nine trophies at Barcelona, including being integral to Barcelona's third treble-winning season, Neymar looked for greener pastures after being in "the shadow of Messi".
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This is probably the first moment of when Neymar started to become a forgotten player rather than the major world-class talent he was, and still is.
In his first season at PSG, The French outfit went onto win a domestic treble with Neymar scoring 22 goals and creating 13 assists in only 33 games.
However, as it's seen with world-class players at PSG in regards to world football fans, It's Champions League or bust.
Neymar since joining PSG in the Champions League has an insane record of 12 goals and 7 assists in 15 games, an incredible 1.27 goal contributions per game in the Champions League.
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However, PSG haven't qualified past the round of 16 since Neymar's arrival, losing to Real Madrid and Manchester United respectively where Neymar has taken a significant amount of abuse.
The Neymar conundrum is simple though, as it was with Zlatan Ibrahimovic prior to Neymar. Like Zlatan before him, Neymar has some of the best, if not the best stats in Europe.
Just in this season in Europe, Neymar has completed the most dribbles, final third passes, penalty box passes, and offensive duels won.
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Neymar will constantly be overlooked and disrespected it seems while being employed in France.
The reason Neymar has been angling for his return to Barcelona could be due to this. To put it into perspective, Neymar's stats to Cristiano Ronaldo's at the same age of 27, Neymar beats Ronaldo in every stat, besides one, Ballon D'Or.
Neymar is surely one of the top five, if not higher, players in the world. However until he leaves France to the majority of football fans, he will still be overlooked and disrespected.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, PSG, Neymar, Brazil
