Emmanuel Petit, a former Arsenal and France midfielder, has heavily criticized Neymar for not living up to the high expectations placed on him to become the successor to football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Petit, who has been vocal about Neymar’s career choices, believes the Brazilian’s potential was squandered by distractions and injuries.
Neymar’s Promise Unfulfilled
Emmanuel Petit expressed his admiration for Neymar’s talent but pointed out that the Brazilian’s career never reached the heights it was expected to. In an interview with Poker Firma, Emmanuel Petit said, “Neymar was once such a tremendous player, but he hasn’t achieved what he should’ve.” He went on to explain that Neymar had the quality to compete for the Ballon d’Or and challenge Messi and Ronaldo’s dominance. Unfortunately, off-field distractions and recurring injuries hampered his career progression.
The Fall of a Star
Neymar’s journey to global stardom began with his high-profile move from Santos to Barcelona in 2013, where he quickly became a fan favorite. During his time at Barcelona, Neymar scored 105 goals in 186 appearances and helped the team win multiple titles, including La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the prestigious Champions League.
In 2017, he made a world-record move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where his performances were strong but plagued by injuries. Despite his efforts in helping PSG reach the Champions League final in 2020, Neymar’s injury woes stopped him from being a consistent Ballon d’Or contender.
A Troubled Stint at Al-Hilal and Return to Santos
Neymar’s career then took him to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in 2023, where his fitness issues persisted. After a brief and underwhelming stint in the Middle East, Neymar returned to his boyhood club, Santos, in January 2025. Despite his emotional return, Neymar has struggled to regain his top form, making just nine appearances.
With Neymar now 33 years old, his dream of becoming a footballing legend like Messi and Ronaldo seems increasingly unlikely. Although a return to European football is not completely ruled out, the once-promising career now seems to be fading into obscurity.
Emmanuel Petit Verdict on Neymar’s Career
Emmanuel Petit compared Neymar to Rivaldo, another Brazilian football legend who reached the pinnacle of his career due to his unwavering focus. According to Petit, Rivaldo’s dedication to his career allowed him to win the Ballon d’Or and a World Cup, unlike Neymar, who he feels wasted his potential due to his off-field distractions.
While Neymar’s talent is undeniable, Petit’s comments suggest that the Brazilian failed to capitalize on his opportunity to become one of the game’s greats.
