Neymar Jr. is undoubtedly one of the most talented footballers to ever grace a pitch. Simultaneously, he’s one of the sport’s most criticized figures as well. But while he may be a polarizing figure, even his staunchest detractors can’t deny that his injury history is nothing but tragic.
Neymar out due to injury. It’s a phrase that’s been all-too common throughout the Brazilian talisman’s fantastic career, especially in its latter stages.
This time, it’s a hamstring problem, which he suffered just weeks after returning from an ACL injury that saw him miss over a year of action. It’s been a long road back for Neymar, who had to watch as Brazil stumbled through the 2024 Copa América, where they were eliminated by Uruguay in the quarterfinals, and struggled with a poor start to World Cup qualifying.
In October, Neymar made his return to Al Hilal in AFC Champions League play, lasting just 42 minutes over two matches before his latest hamstring injury. Since moving to the Saudi League, he has yet to provide anything magical, with just one goal in seven games across all competitions. With only one year remaining on his current deal, Neymar could become one of the biggest financial disappointments in the history of sport.
At a reported annual salary of €100 million, the absence of one of the world’s top players has had a significant impact, keeping fans in one of the world’s biggest soccer markets —Brazil — away from watching the Saudi Pro League.
Talent Has Never Been the Issue
From the beginning of his career, Neymar faced massive expectations, and was in turn graded on a sharp — perhaps unfair — curve. He was prematurely crowned the heir apparent to the throne shared by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo atop the game, and because he never truly claimed that title, he’s been seen as a “bust” despite having a truly top-class career.
Neymar’s rise to prominence began in Brazil, where he dominated the domestic league with Santos, scoring 136 goals in 225 games. During his time there, he won six titles, including the Copa Libertadores in 2011.
In the same year, he won the Puskas Award for goal of the season for his absurd run and finish against Flamengo. Neymar was quickly hailed as the next Pelé and was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football. He would go on to prove that he could live up to the hype, playing the best soccer of his career at Barcelona.
Barcelona: The Glory Days
When Neymar joined Barcelona in 2013, the pressure was somewhat alleviated, as he arrived in a team already boasting some of the best players in the world — Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Messi. It was here where he’d form the iconic “MSN” attacking trio with Messi and Luis Suarez, one of, if not the best the game has ever seen.
Neymar, often the “third wheel,” thrived without the pressure of being “the man,” scoring 105 goals in 186 appearances for Barcelona and winning eight trophies. By the time he left the club in 2017, he had firmly established himself as one of the world’s best players, right behind Messi and Ronaldo.
However, despite the success he’d experience in Barcelona, there were some setbacks that would have long-term effects on his career.
At the 2014 World Cup in his home nation, Neymar fractured an L3 vertebra in Brazil’s quarterfinal match against Colombia. He’d later call it the worst moment of his life, and it nearly cost him his career.
Following the back injury, Neymar would suffer various sets of injuries ranging from adductor pain to thigh issues. It was the beginning of a pattern that would continue throughout his time at PSG.
PSG: A Missed Opportunity?
At the height of his career and firmly in the conversation as one of the world’s best players, Neymar made the decision to leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. The move, driven by Neymar’s desire to be “the man” at his new club, was intended to help PSG reach new heights and secure an elusive UEFA Champions League title.
But the reality was different. Despite Neymar’s individual brilliance — 118 goals in 173 games and 13 domestic titles — PSG failed to build a coherent team capable of winning their ultimate goal, the Champions League. The club stockpiled stars but never seemed to find the right balance. Neymar’s time at PSG was also marked by recurring injuries: ankle surgery, adductor pain, poor fitness, a rib injury, and even a bout with COVID-19. Over six seasons at PSG, Neymar missed more than 100 games.
Despite these setbacks, Neymar’s numbers on the field remained impressive, with standout performances like the 2018-19 season, in which he scored 15 goals in just 17 league games. But for all his brilliance, Neymar became a focal point of PSG’s failure, and the team’s inability to win the Champions League ultimately saw both Neymar and Messi criticized for the club’s shortcomings. In the end, Neymar made the move to the Saudi Pro League, where injuries have completely taken over.
Injuries and Branding
One of the criticisms of Neymar has been that he became more focused on cultivating his personal brand than his footballing legacy. Unlike other Brazilian legends like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, who became global icons based on their performances on the pitch, Neymar has often been seen as a celebrity first, footballer second. His injuries seemed to amplify this shift, with Neymar using his time away from the game to expand his brand.
While Ronaldo and Ronaldinho were no strangers to injuries and criticism of their off-pitch lifestyle themselves, their shortcomings were absolved by the 2002 World Cup title, in which Ronaldo scored a brace in the final. And while Neymar has won plenty of team titles throughout his career — nearly more than Ronaldo and Ronaldinho combined — he hasn’t led Brazil to a major tournament title, and lacks a Ballon d’Or, which Ronaldo and Ronaldinho both have on their mantles.
The social media era has also had an effect on Neymar’s perception. It has given players more avenues to build their brands and therefore their earning potential, and Neymar has fully taken advantage. In addition to sponsorship deals with Nike, PUMA, Beats by Dre, and plenty more, Neymar has appeared on American late night TV, feature films like XXX: Return of Xander Cage, and Netflix series like Money Heist. His Netflix docuseries and extensive social media presence have ensured that he remain a global figure, even when he’s not on the pitch.
What’s Next for Neymar?
At 32 years old, with just seven months remaining on his contract with Al Hilal, rumors are swirling about Neymar’s future. Speculation has linked him to a potential move to Major League Soccer and Inter Miami, but would Neymar be willing to play second fiddle to Messi once again?
A move to MLS, perhaps on a reduced salary but with a similar percentage-based deal to Messi’s, could be in the cards. However, convincing Neymar to play alongside Messi again might require some serious negotiations. There are also reports that Santos, Neymar’s boyhood club, are interested in bringing him back to Brazil. While the Brazilian league is one of the richest in the Americas, Santos may not have the financial means to accommodate Neymar’s demands.
Could Neymar stay at Al Hilal for another season? Earning over $300 million for just seven appearances might not sit well with him, and he might feel an obligation to fulfill his hype and contribute to the team more regularly and sign an extension at a reduced salary that would still most likely be a massive payday.
No matter what, Neymar remains a world-class talent. If he truly wants to, he could still be a key contributor to a top European club, or he could be a welcome addition to a growing league like MLS.
Neymar’s Legacy with Brazil
On the international front, Neymar still has one more shot at a major tournament with Brazil. The 2026 World Cup, set to be held in the United States, could be his final opportunity to add the most coveted prize to his trophy case. Neymar has already established himself as Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, and he has won a Confederations Cup. But to cement his legacy as the greatest Brazilian player of the post-Ronaldo era, a World Cup victory is essential.
Injuries have deprived the soccer world of one of the most talented players of the last 15 years, but Neymar is no longer just a footballer — he is a global brand. What comes next will depend not only on his health, but also on his ability to continue leveraging his fame while navigating the final stages of his playing career.
