Life is full of hits and misses, and the same applies to soccer players. It’s not just on the pitch but also when it comes to scouting and how their careers pan out after. Just like the film Moneyball, which is based on a true story, Brad Pitt who plays Billy Beane also didn’t have the best of careers as a player. This was even after being touted as a prodigy in his youth. Movies aside, it’s safe to say that the career of Neymar wasn’t a complete debacle like Beane’s.

However, in the eyes of several pundits, experts, and fans, the Brazilian forward had all the traits of becoming one of the world’s greatest. But perhaps Neymar didn’t live up to the illustriousness he seemed destined to achieve, leaving many people grappling with what could have been.

Brazilian soccer pundit dubs Neymar a ‘wasted talent’

Walter Casagrande is a revered yet at times controversial figure in Brazilian football. His opinions lead to divisive reactions in the country and throughout the world of soccer. Following Neymar’s blockbuster move to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, Casagrande was quick to criticize the Brazilian icon’s decision. He asserted the fact that Neymar was, in his eyes, a “wasted talent”.

According to UOL via Cartao Vermelho, when speaking about Neymar’s move to the SPL, Casagrande quoted, “That phrase of his – ‘I always wanted to be a global player’ – that’s what he said after being snubbed by other teams in Europe. He offered himself to Barcelona until the last day, until last week.”

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“Xavi didn’t want him, United didn’t want him, Bayern Munich didn’t want him, City didn’t want him, Chelsea didn’t want him. Nobody wanted him and he went to earn his millions there. […] I think Neymar was the biggest wasted talent in the history of soccer that I’ve seen.”

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Neymar was once one of the most sought-after players in world soccer. But according to Casagrande Europe’s biggest clubs had no interest in signing the 31-year-old from PSG.

Neymar’s return to Barcelona could still be an option!

Neymar has been in the news headlines all over the world after moving to the SPL. The Brazilian star has, however, suggested that he could move back to his former club Barcelona after his contract with Al Hilal expires. Plenty of renowned figures have stated that his move to Al Hilal could be a step in the wrong direction. Nevertheless, Neymar has hinted at playing in Europe again.

To be fair, the Brazilian star has a laudable record for both Barcelona and PSG. He scored 105 goals for the Blaugrana and 118 for the Parisian giants, winning several trophies in his stints at both clubs. However, for the boy from Mogi das Cruzes in Sao Paulo, who once had the world at his feet, and was one of the most coveted names in world soccer, it’s perhaps been a story of a player who didn’t live up to his full potential.

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