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Neymar threw away his chance to become a Barcelona great! Saudi Arabia transfer the only option after world-record failure at PSG

Neymar's first introduction to Barcelona supporters came way back in December 2011, when he lined up against them for Santos in the Club World Cup final. The contest was billed as a showdown between the 19-year-old and Lionel Messi, which then-Santos head coach Muricy Ramalho did his best to lean into.

"Before long he'll be the best in the world," Ramalho said at a pre-match press conference. "The two are similar, but Neymar is a bit more special. His style alternates the direction of the ball as he carries it, while Messi dribbles more in a straight line. Neymar is unpredictable. You don't find anyone in the world who does what he can with the ball."

Ramalho was left red-faced as Messi scored twice during a comprehensive 4-0 win for Barcelona that saw Neymar reduced to little more than a spectator. But the teenager, who had also been dubbed 'the next Pele', would get his chance to work alongside Messi at Camp Nou some 18 months later.

Barca paid €57 million (£51m/$65m) to sign Neymar, who had also been a target for Real Madrid, and that proved to be a bargain fee. He was electrifying throughout his time in Catalunya, and struck up an excellent partnership with Messi that helped deliver a host of major honours.

But Neymar never overtook Messi as the best player in the world, and that's what ultimately led him to accept a world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. He wanted to step out of the Argentine's shadow and put himself in a position to win his first Ballon d'Or.

Neymar failed to see the bigger picture. He already had an ego, but it became overinflated after PSG's staggering €220m (£190m/$241m) bid. Barca provided everything Neymar needed to achieve his lofty career ambitions, and he was loved by supporters. He traded all of that in for what he perceived as the fast-track route to greatness in France.

Inevitably, it hasn't worked out for Neymar at PSG. After six seasons of frustration and controversy, he is set to complete a move away from Parc des Princes - with Barca originally thought to be his preferred destination. But even if they could afford to re-sign Neymar, he didn't deserve a second chance. Instead, Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal have struck a deal for the 31-year-old, and the fact is, a move to the Middle East was the only realistic option on the table - which speaks volumes about how far he has fallen.

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