Neymar’s potential return to Barcelona in the summer of 2025 has been the subject of increasing speculation.
Rumors have surfaced that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is contemplating a significant acquisition to commemorate the club’s return to the recently renovated Spotify Camp Nou. Neymar has been suggested as a potential candidate.
Although Erling Haaland of Manchester City has been the primary target for some time, Neymar’s return is also being considered as a possibility as his contract with Al-Hilal is set to expire shortly.
Neymar’s return may not be the optimal course of action for Barcelona. The club should refrain from re-signing the Brazilian sensation for the following three reasons.
Issues with injuries
One of the most significant concerns regarding Neymar is his extensive injury history, which has significantly reduced his playing time. Neymar has only been able to make five appearances since his transfer to Al-Hilal in 2023 as a result of a severe ACL injury.
Additionally, his tenure at PSG was marked by an abundance of injuries. For instance, Neymar was absent from 33 games during the 2018/19 season as a result of a variety of injuries. He was also incapacitated for 76 days due to an ankle injury during the 2021/22 season, which resulted in 15 missed matches.
Neymar went out of action for 130 days and missed 17 critical matches the following season due to ankle surgery. Barcelona is taking a risk by signing Neymar, as he has a history of being unavailable.
The club would require a consistent, dependable player to enhance their roster, and Neymar’s injury history indicates that he would be unable to make a consistent contribution on the field.
Neymar’s injury-prone nature renders him an ill-suited candidate for Barcelona, given the demanding nature of contemporary football and the team’s requirement for stability.
It would be a risky move to depend on a player who has been absent for extended periods in recent years, particularly when the club is attempting to develop a squad that is capable of competing for multiple trophies.
Neymar’s favored position is on the left side of the attack, despite his adaptability to play in a variety of attacking positions.
Barcelona has already adequately addressed this position within its current roster. The primary candidates for that position are Raphinha and Ferran Torres, both of whom have been indispensable members of the team during Hansi Flick’s tenure.
Raphinha has established himself as a key player and excelled, delivering consistent performances that justify his position in the starting lineup, while Torres has faced criticism. It is uncertain where Neymar would fit in, and his return would generate a selection dilemma.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that Barcelona will pursue Nico Williams in 2025, which would enhance their attacking capabilities. Upon his arrival at the club, the inclusion of Neymar would only serve to further complicate the situation and diminish the opportunities for other players.
The development of lesser talents and their progression into the first team would be disrupted if Neymar were to be signed at this juncture.
Financial constraints and an exorbitant salary
The exorbitant salary of Neymar is one of the most formidable obstacles to his return to Barcelona. Neymar is reportedly earning approximately €100 million annually at Al-Hilal, which is five times his payment at Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona is presently experiencing financial challenges, necessitating the reduction of wages and the offloading of players in order to remain within their budget.
Barcelona would be unable to finance Neymar’s current salary, even if he were to accept a lower salary.
The club has prioritized the prudent management of their wage bill, as evidenced by the departure of high-earning players such as Ilkay Gundogan.
Barcelona’s financial predicament would be exacerbated by the return of Neymar, as they would encounter difficulty in reconciling his salary with their budget.
Despite Neymar’s agreement to a pay reduction, his wages would still be excessively high for the club to manage, particularly in light of other urgent financial obligations.
Barcelona must prioritize financial stability, and it would be a mistake to overspend on Neymar’s compensation. The club is unable to replicate its previous errors of signing costly players without taking into account the long-term financial repercussions.
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