
(foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Neymar, now 32, shared intimate details about his career highs and lows, from his challenging start at Barcelona to his tumultuous relationship with Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking with legendary compatriot Romario, Neymar reflected on the role of egos, jealousy, and personal decisions in shaping his football journey.
Neymar’s childhood dream of playing for Barcelona became reality in 2013 when he chose the Catalan club over Real Madrid. Despite this, his early days were far from smooth.
"The first six months at Barcelona were terrible. I couldn’t dribble, couldn’t pass, and I felt like I was doing everything wrong," Neymar recalled. "After one particularly bad game against Athletic Bilbao, I cried in the shower."
It was then that Messi stepped in. "Messi told me to calm down, that he would help me play like I did at Santos. He said, 'If you need anything, you can count on me.' That gave me the confidence to start playing really well."
Over the next four years, Neymar flourished, winning two La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys, and a Champions League. However, he shocked the football world in 2017 by leaving for PSG in a record €222 million move, despite Messi urging him to stay.
"Messi asked me, 'Why are you leaving? Do you want to be the best in the world? I can help you achieve that.' But for me, it wasn’t about that. It was personal. PSG offered me more, and I wanted to play with Brazilians like Thiago Silva, Dani Alves, Marquinhos, and Lucas Moura."
Neymar’s time in Paris wasn’t without controversy, particularly regarding his relationship with Kylian Mbappe. The younger superstar, brought in to become PSG’s marquee player, often clashed with Neymar.
"We had our disputes and little fights," Neymar admitted. "He was a boy, and I called him Golden Boy. I told him he would be one of the best in the world, and I always tried to help him."
Neymar acknowledged that egos at PSG contributed to tensions within the team. "We were destroyed by ego," he confessed. "It was difficult to manage all the big personalities in the dressing room."
Despite the ups and downs, Neymar remains grateful for the key moments and figures in his journey, especially Messi. "He’s not just a great player but a great person. Playing alongside him was a dream come true."
Neymar’s story underscores the challenges of navigating a career in the spotlight, where personal decisions, financial incentives, and clashing egos often overshadow the beautiful game.