Gianluigi Buffon Asserts Neymar Should Have Won Five Ballon D'Or Awards During His Career

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Neymar's career has been filled with high expectations and significant achievements, yet he has never claimed the Ballon d'Or. Gianluigi Buffon, who played with Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2018-19 season, believes Neymar deserved to win the prestigious award five times. Despite a record-breaking transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017, Neymar couldn't secure a Champions League title for the French club.

Neymar's move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in 2023 marked a new chapter, but injuries have limited his appearances. A hamstring issue has sidelined him again after recovering from an ACL injury that kept him out for a year. His European journey began with high hopes when he left Santos for Barcelona, where he enjoyed a successful spell but never won the Ballon d'Or.

Buffon expressed his disappointment over Neymar's lack of recognition in an interview with Corriere della Sera. He said, "It's hard to pick a rival. I've played against three generations: Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta. Choose one? Neymar. For the player he is and the person he is, he should have won five Ballons d'Or."

During his time at PSG, Neymar often found himself overshadowed by teammates like Kylian Mbappe. The arrival of Lionel Messi in 2021 added another layer of complexity to their dynamic trio. Despite their combined talent, they couldn't achieve the European success that PSG's Qatari owners had envisioned.

Buffon's admiration for Neymar extends beyond his skills on the field; it also includes his character as a person. Buffon's comments highlight how Neymar's potential and talent have not always translated into individual accolades like the Ballon d'Or.

The challenges Neymar faced at PSG were not just about competition within the team but also about meeting high expectations on the European stage. The trio of Neymar, Messi, and Mbappe was expected to dominate Europe but fell short of those aspirations.

Neymar's journey continues with Al-Hilal as he aims to overcome his injury setbacks and make an impact in Saudi Arabia. His career remains one of remarkable talent and unfulfilled potential regarding individual awards like the Ballon d'Or.

Neymar's story reflects both triumphs and struggles in football's competitive world. While he has achieved much success, including at Barcelona and PSG, personal accolades like the Ballon d'Or have eluded him despite Buffon's belief in his deservingness.