Football Daily | This might just be the end of Elite Neymar

Although Neymar has had his fair share of faults, including diving, a cringing Mister Potato commercial, questionable fashion choices, vacationing in Ibiza during the Covid pandemic, his tendency to lose matches by a significant amount, and his decline from Barcelona to PSG and then to Saudi Arabia, it was impossible not to have some compassion for him on Wednesday. During Brazil's 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Uruguay, Neymar suffered a painful injury after his left knee's anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus separated, resulting in him requiring surgery and being sidelined for at least eight months. Could this mark the end of his career? With modern medical assistance, it may not be the case. In a year's time, perhaps we will see a version of Neymar 3.0 limping about the field in Riyadh, scoring goals to justify his £138 million salary. However, it might be the end of Elite Neymar, who recently exceeded Pelé as Brazil's all-time male top scorer. It was not the most elegant way for him to exit, leaving the pitch in tears after a clumsy landing in Montevideo. "It's an extremely difficult moment, the most difficult." He stated. "I realize that I'm strong, but this time I'll need my family and friends even more."

It's fortunate that Al-Hilal agreed to pay for Neymar's large group of 30 people when he joined the Saudi club in August. As part of the deal, Neymar had some strong demands including a house that has three saunas and a pool that is at least 40 meters long. Additionally, he required seven full-time workers, with one as a sous chef to work alongside his current head chef. Furthermore, he wanted a guaranteed stock of açaí juice and Guaraná drinks in his fridge, a private plane, three high-end sports cars (Bentley, Aston Martin, Lamborghini), four Mercedes G-Wagons and a luxury chauffeured van that would be available for him at any time. It's quite extreme, but surely he would exchange all of these things for a brand new knee in no time.

The Brazilian player, Neymar, had a remarkable start to his career with Santos, demonstrating impressive skills and a rebellious attitude. His famous mullet hairstyle from those years is now gone, but his talent still makes him one of the best players in the world. Watching old videos of his dribbling skills and agility can seem almost unreal. He played a key role in leading his team to win the Copa Libertadores championship. Playing alongside Lionel Messi brought out his best performance and he became an important member of the legendary trio of attackers: Messi, Suárez, and Neymar, known as MSN.

In the past, Brazilian football has seen some impressive showboaters such as Kerlon and Ronaldinho. However, Neymar stood out for playing joyful and spontaneous football with a clear goal in mind. Nowadays, it seems as though Neymar's style is no longer seen in football, with the lack of true dribblers in today's game. Although players like Jack Grealish were known for their swagger, they have been coached to prioritize other aspects of the game. In a world where stats and tactics reign supreme, players who prioritize fun and flair have become less common. This change has made football poorer, as it takes away from the creativity and excitement that once defined the sport.

"Daily Inspiration"

I've been in the news before, and it's not ideal. My dad was on a golf trip with some guys from the local pub in Spain. He didn't say anything wrong, but it didn't exactly help my situation. I wasn't too angry with him, though. He just had a bit too much to drink on the golf course. Right now, I'm feeling pretty down about losing my spot as Arsenal's No. 1 to David Raya. It hurts a lot. On top of that, my dad made a comment about Jamie Carragher on social media, which wasn't very helpful either.

The writer recalls a childhood memory of playing football in an inner-city Leeds primary school in 1972. During a game before school started, the writer became frustrated after losing 7-6 and kicked the ‘Wembley Trophy’ size 5 football with great force, similar to footballer Peter Lorimer. Unfortunately, the ball struck a nearby dinner lady in the face, causing her glasses to fly off and blood to spill. The writer remembers the caretaker attempting to clean up the blood with water and disinfectant but ultimately settling for sawdust. The writer compares the impact of the ball to that of a Bengal tiger’s, leaving a lasting impression on the writer’s memory.

Perhaps I am revealing my age, but having a Mitre ball to play with was an amazing experience compared to the leather, soft balls we had in school. Whenever it rained, which was frequently in Ireland, it felt as though we were kicking actual cannons. Whether it was a throbbing pain in the toe from kicking too hard, or a heavy thudding sound when it hit the thigh, the result was a lasting mark for several days.

I stopped playing soccer after getting hit by a damp and sandy Mitre ball that left one side of my face feeling numb for a week. However, I was unaware of the pleasures (tobacco products, cans of beer, adult magazines) that awaited me on the opposite side of the playground. Appreciation to Mitre for introducing me to these experiences.

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