How Neymar's PSG's dream has deteriorated to let a split | Darren Tulett | Soccer

TIt was not how the script should unfold. Neither for Paris Saint-Germain, nor for Neymar. When the French club brought the Brazilian superstar in Ligue 1 for a world record transfer two years ago, each of the actors had their own scenario in mind.

For PSG, seizing Neymar from Barcelona rivals showed his intention. Here is a powerful statement. Not only was PSG not a club salesman, but he had already resisted Barcelona's advances to Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, but he signed one of the most exciting talents on the planet and he has also tried to move away from one of the pillars of European football. . Neymar would be the last piece of a costly puzzle (Kylian Mbappé, 18, would join PSG soon after), built to win the Champions League – the Holy Grail for Qatari owners who only partially rebadured on the national domination of the team.

Neymar, then 25, had twice won the Spanish Liga and the Champions League with Barcelona, ​​forming a formidable trio of strikes with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez. But that's where the problem lies for the Brazilian striker. So clever, so decisive (remember his performance against PSG in this incredible 6-1 victory of the Champions League) – Neymar in Barcelona would still be in the shadow of Messi. And therefore, you are unlikely to win individual prizes such as the Golden Ball he wants. The move to PSG would see Neymar become the main man. The team would play for him and if he could lead the PSG to his first triumph in the Champions League, the rewards would follow. It was a big conspiracy and quite achievable, on paper.

But today, this football love story seems to be heading for a bitter end. PSG have not even managed to qualify for the quarterfinals of the most popular cup in Europe in the last two seasons. Neymar, after a good start to the match and despite several goals, still seemed absent in major matches (for example injured and missed both games against Manchester United last season). And although Neymar was initially adored by fans of PSG, he was overwhelmed by the popularity of Mbappé, when he is only 20 years old, still on the rise and from the suburbs of Paris. In other words, it's one of theirs.

Mbappé, PSG's top scorer last season with 33 goals in Ligue 1 after 29 games, is surely a better choice than the Neymar as the future winner of the Ballon d'Or. And if he was forced to choose between the two, the PSG would clearly support the Frenchman. Which leaves the whole Brazilian in a dilemma. What to do?

The noises of Neymar's entourage suggest a desire to return to Barcelona which, with Real Madrid, Manchester United and perhaps Juventus, is one of the few clubs that can afford it. And Barcelona engaged in very public mischief In recent days, it was unfortunate to tell the world that Neymar – who missed the wound of the Copa America, triumphant in Brazil – was unhappy in Paris.

In fact, of course, Neymar is not physically in Paris right now. Where does the problem lie? PSG expects it to show up for the start of pre-season training with the rest of the team yesterday. Neymar, however, remains in Brazil. His father told Fox News that the club was aware that Neymar had organized a charity event for his foundation and that his son would return to the French capital on July 15th.

For PSG, being aware of something and giving permission are seen as two totally different things. The club issued a terse statement saying it "deplores the situation and will take appropriate action." This normally results in a heavy fine. The conflict is then open. And very public. Until now, the PSG had always rejected speculations on transfers around Neymar and Mbappé. Today, for the first time, PSG has made it clear that the Brazilian can leave.

"Neymar can leave the PSG if there is an offer that suits everyone," said PSG sports director, Leonardo, the French daily Le Parisien. He stated that it was "clear to everyone" that the player wants to leave.

Leonardo, who recently returned to the club where he played and where he helped Qatari owners to form the first team of superstars in 2012 by drawing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Carlo Ancelotti, declared Le Club received no offer for Neymar, who still has three years of contract.

At the moment, it is very difficult to see how this story does not end when Neymar packs his bags and leaves Paris. On social networks and telephone calls on the radio, the reaction of the vast majority of PSG supporters can be summarized as follows: good riddance. Let him go, they say. We Mbapped. And no player can think that he is bigger than the club – a message that Leonardo emphasized in his interview. In fact, the name of Neymar is on the writing, perhaps since last month, when the president of PSG, Nbader al-Khelaifi, spoke to the magazine France Football of the signature of his star.

"Nobody forced him to sign here, nobody pushed him in. I want players willing to do anything to defend the honor of our jersey … for those who do not have or want, we can meet and talk. "

Now, it seems, the time to speak is over. At least between the club and the player. PSG will let Neymar leave when he receives decent transfer fees. Apparently, Barcelona is interested but now knows that PSG would be happy to see the return of his player to want. The negotiations promise to be juicy. French and Spanish media suggest that Barcelona would have a hard time raising funds for Neymar and would probably try to come up with some form of cashier proposition. PSG are looking for a central defender and could be interested in Clément Lenglet or Samuel Umtiti. Coutinho and Ousmane Dembélé are also often mentioned in dispatches. It's the saga of summer. This one could run and run.