Luis Suarez wanted Neymar to join a Premier League club over Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar’s €222million (£188million) transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 was a watershed moment for football.
It showed the power of state-backed owners to influence the global game, with the Brazilian’s eye-watering transfer fee inflating the market. Moreover, Neymar’s move was supposed to see the attacker become the world’s best player.
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Instead, Neymar left Barcelona to step out of the shadow of Lionel Messi, only to find himself soon sharing the stage with Kylian Mbappe, and then, Messi once more.
While he consistently produced goals and assist for the Ligue 1 outfit, he was only fit for 55 per cent of the club’s matches due to injury. Moreover, his off-field behaviour often saw the player make headlines.
Ultimately Neymar failed to meet the dizzying heights expected of him at the Parc des Princes, and in 2023 moved to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, all but ending his hopes of ever winning a Ballon d’Or.
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Suarez, Neymar’s Barcelona team-mate, claimed that there was surprise the winger opted to move to France’s Ligue 1, adding that he should have either stayed in Catalunya or transfered to a Premier League club like Manchester City
Suarez explained, via Placar TV: “[We said], 'Ney. If you want to win it all stay with us [at Barcelona]’. We said ‘Ney, at least go to England, Manchester City. Their football is better, but in France…’”
When asked if he thought Neymar could have been the best player in the world, Suarez added: “I think yes. If Neymar has stayed at Barcelona he would have won the Ballon d’Or for sure.”
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Neymar played just five times in his first season at Al Hilal before suffering an ACL injury while on international duty with Brazil that rules him out for the rest of the campaign. Neymar is yet to feature for the Saudi side this term.
Topics: Neymar, Luis Suarez, Barcelona, PSG, Premier League, Manchester City, Ballon d'Or
Chris Byfield