Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Neymar is 24 years old, and it’s just as easy to forget just how immature that age really is. Yes, there are plenty of footballers around the world who show maturity beyond their years at that age, but unlike Neymar they aren’t really worth mentioning. Neymar is ungodly talented, that much is clear, but he is the finished product.
The final day of the Champions League quarterfinals kicked off today with Barcelona playing away at Atletico Madrid and Benfica hosting Bayern Munich. Barcelona were ahead 2-1 on aggregate heading into the match, but Madrid scored in the 36th minute to go ahead on aggregate due to the away goal tie-breaker.
Griezmann headed home a cross after Jordi Alba could not fully clear the ball. The Frenchman would add a penalty to take a 3-2 aggregate lead in the 88th minute after a handball by Andres Iniesta. The final score was 2-0.
Neymar is rich. This much is not in doubt, but just how rich is he? Well, his contract leaked this week thanks to Football Leaks, we have an answer, in the form of his much-discussed Barcelona contract/transfer agreement.
According to the contract, Neymar's base salary is €5 million, which sounds like a lot. It is compared to a normal person, but not really compared to an athlete playing one of the major American sports.
Neymar signed for Barcelona from Brazilian side Santos after long speculation in 2013. Many argued he wouldn’t work out and that he wouldn’t mesh well with the side. Others spoke of his similarities to former Barcelona and Brazilian international Ronaldinho, and argued these would lead to success for the young winger.
Champions League Quarterfinals kicked off today with Bayern Munich facing Benfica and Barcelona taking on fellow La Liga foes, Atletico Madrid. Fernando Torres opened the scoring for Atletico in the 25th minute, however he was sent off with his second yellow card 10 minutes later. Madrid was down to 10 men and Luis Suarez took advantage when he scored in the 63rd and 74th minute. Barcelona would hold on to the lead and win 2 - 1. Bayern Munich got off to a hot start as Arturo Vidal scored on a header in the 2nd minute. His goal would prove to be the winner.
The Barcelona trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar – or MSN – is probably the best attacking force in soccer history. The unbelievable chemistry of the trio combined with the outrageous individual skills they all possess makes MSN unstoppable. Yet, for all their unbelievable achievements with Barcelona, success at the national level has evaded all of them. Sure, Suarez has a Copa America under his belt, and Neymar won the Confederation's Cup, but these are small potatoes compared to the ultimate prize: the World Cup.
Sometimes it must really suck to be Neymar. After he lost his head during the Brazil vs Uruguay World Cup Qualifier, he apparently went out on the town and partied. Of course, being the celebrity that he is, people found out. The Brazilian media skewered him and now we have another Ronaldo Birthday party situation on our hands.
To be fair to the Brazilian media, Neymar and Brazil did squander a 2-0 lead that for a time looked fairly secure.
The last day of Champions League Round of 16 featured four world-renowned teams. Arsenal traveled to FC Barcelona hoping to make up a 2-0 aggregate deficit, while Bayern Munich and Juventus were tied at two.
Neymar made his professional debut when he was just 17 years old. He was still a kid, with idols and a need to prove himself, and probably had no idea how much success he would eventually see. Seven years later, Neymar is a part of one of the greatest teams of all time, and has done enough to surpass Neymar’s greatest idol as a child: Robinho.
This month we celebrate the seven year anniversary of Neymar's debut in professional football for Santos FC, which happened when he was just 17. Since then Neymar has collected titles, individuals awards, and many other achievements the likes of which few could have imagined he would achieve. He is one of the kings of international football, and plays with players idolized all over the world.