5 reasons why Neymar's move to PSG makes sense
Neymar might soon count Paris as the latest stop in his European journey as the Barcelona man is the supposed subject of a record-shattering €222-million release-clause bid from Paris Saint-Germain.
You'd be forgiven if the sheer scope of such a move makes the idea seem impossible. A few at Barcelona agree, but Neymar remains silent. It would be a controversial move, but one that makes perfect sense for Neymar - and here are five reasons why:
Escape from Messi's shadow
If Neymar was meant to one day replace Lionel Messi, it won't be happening anytime soon. Barcelona is a team built around the considerable talents of the Argentina attacker, and for good reason; Messi is the world's best footballer, and casts a long, looming shadow. While he and Neymar proved fast friends on the field, there's no arguing which of the two is Barcelona's central figure.
PSG doesn't just offer Neymar a chance to be the main man at a big European club; it also allows the naturally expressive attack-minded player to forego the defensive responsibilities he has at Barcelona and play in a more comfortable position and formation, with a team full of talent built around his own qualities.
The cold, hard cash
Neymar is reportedly set to earn an annual salary of €30 million per year at Qatari-financed PSG. His total at Barcelona - endorsements and all - comes in at around €37 million per year, according to Forbes. Better still for Neymar, France taxes foreign players at 45 percent to Spain's 52 percent tax rate.
As one of many big-name players in Spain, Neymar competes with his own teammates and players at Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid for endorsements, but in France, he would be the biggest name, matched only, perhaps, by Kylian Mbappe. As such, Neymar would get a bigger piece of the sponsorship pie, too.
The Brazilian connection
Should Neymar stow his belongings in a new locker room, he'll do so with a few friends at his side, as captain Thiago Silva, winger Lucas Moura, defender Marquinhos, and fellow newcomer Dani Alves all give PSG a touch of samba flavour. But Neymar and his Brazil teammates would be further boosted by a South American contingent that includes Angel Di Maria and Edinson Cavani.
Under Unai Emery, PSG could join a mix of pragmatic football anchored by midfielders like Blaise Matuidi, Adrien Rabiot, and Marco Verratti and the show of fun, creative, and exciting football played with a flair Neymar loves.
Push PSG to Champions League glory
As demonstrated in Barcelona's miraculous 6-1 turnaround over PSG in last season's Champions League, Neymar gives Les Parisians the sort of winning quality needed to realize their greatest dream: becoming European champions.
PSG certainly looked like a world beater after pummeling Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of that Round of 16 series, but, as ever, the club failed to reach its full potential despite boasting plenty of quality in the squad. Neymar could be the piece that gets PSG past the quarter-finals, a place the club hasn't reached since a semi-final berth in 1995.
Pave a path to personal glory
At 25, Neymar is entering the prime of his career and PSG could help realize a few short- and long-term personal goals, too.
Winning a Champions League would certainly put his name in serious contention for a Ballon d'Or, which he would be unlikely to win under Messi's shadow at Barcelona. Indeed, should Neymar lift the Champions League trophy at PSG, it would be a feat attributed more to his presence than not.
But the ease of Ligue 1 could also help Neymar stay fresh and fit for summer competitions like the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup. A healthy and happy Neymar is a dangerous weapon for a talented Brazil team looking to right the wrongs of 2014 next year in Russia.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)