Neymar called 'the biggest flop in football history' by French journalist in savage rant
A French journalist has called Neymar the 'biggest flop in football history' following Paris Saint-Germain's second league defeat of the season.
PSG slipped to a 1-0 loss against Rennes on Sunday evening despite having Neymar and Lionel Messi on the pitch.
The Ligue 1 leaders looked toothless in attack and are now only three points clear of Lens in second, despite having a massive lead before the World Cup break.
Neymar in particular has come in for heavy criticism following a strong of poor performances since returning from Qatar.
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The 30-year-old was sent off in December's 2-1 win over Strasbourg and hasn't scored in his two games since serving a one-match suspension.
Neymar joined PSG from Barcelona in 2017 for a world-record Ā£198 million fee, helping the French giants to four league titles and the 2020 Champions League final.
His form during that time has remained consistent, although it can be argued PSG's failure in Europe is a blemish on his copybook.
Daniel Riolo still isn't convinced by the winger. During an appearance on RMC show 'After Foot', Riolo criticised Neymar's five-and-a-half year stint at the Parc des Princes.
Neymar was also accused of using the first half of the season, which saw him score 11 goals in the league, as 'training' for the World Cup.
He vented: "He had half a good season because he was preparing for the World Cup, he was just in training.
"There, it's over. He starts because Galtier, the great revolutionary with Campos, leaves him on the pitch.
"Do we realise that Neymar, in terms of recruitment and salary, is the biggest flop in the history of football?"
Riolo made a flippant comment about PSG signing Messi and Sergio Ramos, who are 35 and 36 respectively, to bumper new contracts.
He continued: "I can't think of a bigger flop for what it cost, it's horrible. Let PSG stop. And we are thinking about the idea of āāextending Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.
"But extend Messi for 20 years, give him a box and he will come to the stadium when he is a grandfather.
"Let's extend Neymar and give him 15 years of salary at the point where we are."
PSG return to action on Thursday in a friendly clash against a Saudi Arabia All-Star XI, including new Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo.
Daniel Marland