Is Neymar an all-time great?

As Neymar prepares for an emotional return to Santos, the club where his journey began, discussions around his legacy have reignited. The Brazilian forward, once heralded as the next footballing icon, has had a career filled with dazzling highs and frustrating lows. While he remains the most expensive player in football history, the question lingers—has he truly lived up to the expectations set for him?

In 2013, Barcelona secured Neymar’s signature after a fierce battle with Real Madrid and other top European clubs. His arrival at Camp Nou was met with great fanfare, with thousands of supporters welcoming him as the heir to Lionel Messi. His flair, agility, and technical brilliance made him an instant sensation, and his chemistry with Messi and Luis Suárez created one of the most lethal attacking trios in football history.

During his time at Barcelona, Neymar achieved significant success, including a historic treble in 2015. He played a crucial role in the club’s remarkable 6-1 comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, a performance that remains one of the most iconic in tournament history. However, despite his undeniable talent, Neymar often found himself overshadowed by Messi’s brilliance, struggling to establish himself as the team’s primary leader.

In 2017, Neymar shocked the football world by leaving Barcelona for PSG in a record-breaking €222 million move. His ambition was clear—he wanted to escape Messi’s shadow and cement his place as the world’s best player. In France, he delivered moments of pure magic, mesmerizing fans with his dribbling and creativity. However, Ligue 1’s lack of global appeal and PSG’s repeated failures in the Champions League diluted his impact on the broader footballing stage.

Injuries also played a major role in derailing Neymar’s career. Just as he seemed poised to dominate, he suffered setbacks that kept him out of key matches. Whether it was missing critical Champions League knockout games or being sidelined during international tournaments, his fitness struggles prevented him from achieving prolonged consistency.

For Brazil, Neymar surpassed Pelé as the nation’s all-time top scorer, a feat that should solidify his status as a legend. However, major international triumphs have eluded him. While he won an Olympic gold medal and a Confederations Cup, he was absent during Brazil’s Copa América triumph in 2019. The absence of a World Cup victory on his resume has led to debates about his overall impact on the international stage.

Despite his immense talent, Neymar never won a Ballon d’Or, an individual accolade many expected him to claim. Playing in an era dominated by Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo certainly made it difficult, but his career choices, including his move to the Saudi Pro League at just 31, have also contributed to this shortcoming.

His brief stint at Al-Hilal is now regarded as one of the most disastrous transfers in football history. The Saudi club invested heavily in Neymar, hoping he would elevate the league’s profile. Instead, he suffered a devastating ACL injury, limiting him to just seven appearances before his contract was terminated.

The move to Saudi Arabia raised questions about Neymar’s priorities. At a time when he could have still competed at the highest level in Europe, he chose a lucrative contract over sporting ambition. While some argue that injuries made this move inevitable, others believe that he could have done more to solidify his legacy before stepping away from the top leagues.

As he returns to Santos, there is a sense of nostalgia surrounding Neymar’s career. His return to Vila Belmiro is more about emotion than competitiveness, a homecoming that allows him to reconnect with his roots. However, it also signals the closing chapters of a career that could have been even greater.

At 33, Neymar still has the skills to create magical moments, but his time as a dominant force in football appears to be over. For a player once tipped to take over from Messi and Ronaldo, his career trajectory has been far from what was initially envisioned.

Despite his achievements, there is a lingering sense of unfulfilled potential. He has won numerous league titles, domestic cups, and European trophies, yet he never quite became the undisputed best player in the world. Whether due to injuries, career choices, or simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Neymar’s story is one of both brilliance and missed opportunities.

Some will argue that he is an all-time great, pointing to his breathtaking skills, incredible goal tally, and undeniable influence on the game. Others will counter that he fell short of true greatness due to inconsistency and a lack of defining triumphs on the grandest stages.

Ultimately, Neymar’s career will be remembered for its electrifying highs and frustrating what-ifs. He remains one of the most entertaining players of his generation, but when the debate arises about the greatest of all time, his name is often missing. And that, more than anything, speaks to the complexity of his legacy.