Neymar's Highlights At Santos Show He's The Most Skilful Player In World Football
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Neymar has been brilliant at both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in Europe but there's something special about his spell at Santos.
After coming through the ranks at the Brazilian giants and breaking into the side aged 17, Neymar was unbelievably superior to everyone he shared a pitch with and it made up for some quite sensational viewing.
In 225 appearances for the club, Neymar scored 136 goals and won three Campeonato Paulista titles, as well as the 2011 Copa Libertadores.
The two-time South American player was so fun to watch and regularly sent opposition players to the shops with disgusting dribbles, nutmegs, step-overs, rainbow flicks and all the other tricks and puzzles he had in his locker.
He really was playing real-life FIFA street.
@LScomps has put together a wondrous compilation of all of his best bits. It's genuinely two minutes of Neymar rinsing people left, right and centre and making it look very, very easy.
#NeymarJr29#MeninoDaVila @neymarjr at Santos during 2009 to 2013, a joy to watch.
— 𝕊𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕠𝕤𝔼𝕕𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 🇬🇧🇺🇲 (@SantosEdition_) February 5, 2021
credit @LSCompspic.twitter.com/ufkHEdEKk2
There was a swagger and an arrogance in the way he played but the two-time South American Footballer of the Year backed it up with his performances and numbers.
And though he has his fair share of doubters, who might brand him a "YouTuber footballer", he's done the same since making the switch to Barcelona in 2013.
Image: PA
He scored 105 goals in 186 appearances for the Blaugrana, also laying on 70 assists for his teammates as part of the deadly 'MSN' trio with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
For PSG, he's managed 100 goals in 144 appearances as the Paris outfit dominated domestically, his dream is to finally help the club get their hands on the elusive Champions League trophy.
Image: PA
With the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe alongside him, the chance is there for PSG to have a real go at winning the European crown for the first time in their history.
There's an overriding feeling that Neymar deserves a lot more respect for just how gifted he is and the performances he's churned in.
