Neymar had to settle for a 1-1 draw in Brazil’s CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers match against Venezuela. Now, as the dust settles from last night’s fixture, criticisms over the Al Hilal star’s performance and his contribution are pouring in. Why? Well, according to one soccer veteran and pundit – it seems like the ex-PSG forward’s ‘luck’ has run out!

What’s more – the qualifier match between Brazil and Venezuela has been mired in controversy. After a disappointed fan threw popcorn on the Brazilian icon as he walked off the pitch – things have taken a wild turn. But keeping that aside, this soccer pundit, who’s also a Liverpool legend, has made a rather bold statement about Neymar. So, what’s he saying?

Three-time FA Cup winner gives bold take on Neymar

We’re talking about Steve Nicol, the iconic Liverpool veteran who won five English league championships (now EPL) and three FA cups with the English club during the 1980s and early 1990s. Recently, this soccer icon joined the ESPN FC podcast to weigh in on the Brazil vs. Venezuela fixture.

When the host brought up the performance of Neymar, Nicol didn’t mince his words at all. He declared: “Do you know the one thing that came to my mind after this game? Is Neymar’s time really just gone?”

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Almost immediately, he followed it up with a startling reply – “Well – because this is a guy who nobody wanted to sign from PSG. [His] timing was just lucky that the Saudi League started. Otherwise, he’d still be at PSG, stuck. I’m sorry, but maybe this guy’s time in the limelight could be over… “

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The core of the Liverpool veteran’s argument seems to revolve around the circumstances of Neymar’s transfer from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Al Hilal. According to Nicol, Neymar’s timing was “lucky” because it coincided with the emergence of the Saudi League. Without this fortunate alignment, the 31-year-old might have remained at PSG, seemingly suggesting that his career would have stagnated. But was it really a coincidence? Or did the Brazilian soccer star really think this through?

Brazilian soccer icon’s move to Al Hilal may be a smart move?

Neymar’s move to Al Hilal has been a subject of great financial interest. Reportedly, the Brazilian forward sealed a monumental $418 million deal with the club. Furthermore, Neymar’s annual base salary at Al Hilal stands at a whopping $175 million. On top of this, for every win achieved by his team on the field, Neymar earns around $87,000.

Moreover, in addition to the financial perks of his contract, Neymar, along with his pregnant girlfriend Bruna Biancardi, reside in a luxurious residence complete with a dedicated staff. Intriguingly, the couple has received an exemption from a significant law in the country that typically prohibits unmarried couples from living together under one roof. Furthermore, Neymar, at the age of 31, will have exclusive access to his private aircraft.

The extraordinary agreement also includes social media commitments. Neymar is set to earn a remarkable $547,000 for each social media post or story shared to promote Saudi Arabia through his digital platforms. Given the magnitude of this deal, it’s clear that Neymar’s move to Al-Hilal was not simply a stroke of luck. What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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