Neymar : The Prince Never Crowned

By Syamil

Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior was once seen as the heir to football’s throne. With dazzling dribbles, flair, and charisma, he was hailed as the next Brazilian king after Pelé and Ronaldinho. But despite the promise and global fame, Neymar’s career has often felt like a story of unfulfilled destiny.

From his early days at Santos, Neymar lit up the pitch with samba-style magic. His move to Barcelona in 2013 formed the iconic MSN trio with Messi and Suárez, winning the treble in 2015. It seemed like the crown was within reach.

Then came the record-breaking transfer to PSG in 2017. He was supposed to step out of Messi’s shadow but injuries, controversy, and Champions League heartbreaks followed. While his talent remained undeniable, his momentum faded just when it mattered most.

Internationally, he’s won the Olympic gold and the Copa Confederations, but never the FIFA World Cup or Copa América (he missed Brazil’s 2019 win due to injury). Always close, but never crowned. Now playing in Saudi Arabia, Neymar's prime may be behind him. Yet, for many fans, he remains the prince of modern football a genius whose throne was always just out of reach.