Neymar has been told that he can “only blame himself” for not winning the Ballon d’Or after complaining about his treatment at Paris Saint-Germain.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Smashed transfer record when moving to FranceFans turned on South American superstarConsidered to have wasted his talent at timesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Brazil international became the most expensive player of all-time when completing a stunning €222 million (£183m/$233m) transfer to Parc des Princes from Barcelona in 2017. Neymar was initially well received in the French capital, but regular injury setbacks and a lack of Champions League success led some fans to turn on the South American.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Neymar has told of his experience at PSG: “The first year in Paris was magnificent, I was very well received by the supporters, but the last two or three were not the same, it was not really fair the way I was treated. I think [Lionel] Messi experienced more or less the same thing. For me, they crossed the line (when fans came to his house). Our relationship was no longer respectful, whereas I always respected them… It was a really complicated situation. I was sad about the way I was treated at the end.”

WHAT DUGARRY SAID

World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry has now responded to those claims, telling of why Neymar brought issues on himself by failing to fulfil his potential: “He's perhaps one of the three greatest players, in terms of intrinsic qualities. Afterwards, if the guy has never won the Ballon d'Or, there are reasons. I dream of a PSG player who leaves and says thank you to PSG. The guys were paid astronomical sums, they played in full stadiums, exceptional conditions for playing football. They carry everything for you, you do nothing. He was in the best possible and imaginable conditions. He could not have said once ‘I could have done better’. I never hear it, it annoys me.

“I'm not going to tell you that PSG did everything well, but is it not possible to say: ‘I worked in exceptional conditions, I had an incredible salary, I was lucky enough to play with stratospheric partners’. If Neymar didn't win the Ballon d'Or with the qualities he has, you can only blame yourself. It's not the fault of the idiots who came to see you at the end. Can't he tell himself that he didn't do enough?”

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

Neymar made 173 appearances for PSG across six seasons, scoring 118 goals. He left for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal in the summer of 2023 and has continued to endure fitness issues there – with the 32-year-old forward facing more questions of his present value and future worth in the 2024-25 campaign.