For three seasons, the MSN network was the go-to provider for footballing action. Messi, Suarez and Neymar. Fans in Barcelona and world over logged on to the star network to pump up their adrenaline on feverish Saturday nights.
Not anymore. The trident, rated the best-ever by many, has been broken.
After months of intense speculation and denials, Neymar is set to make a jaw-dropping, world record Euro 222 million move to Paris St Germain, flush with the petrodollars flowing out of its Qatari owners.
Messi, 30, is a footballing genius, Suarez, 30, the maverick capable of astonishing play and Neymar, 25, the wizard who sends hearts aflutter with his undeniable Brazilian talent.
Perhaps, that’s the reason for Neymar’s exit. Having won one Champions League and two Liga titles and three Copa Del Reys with 105 goals to boot, Neymar knew he would always play second fiddle to Messi.
The giant-sized achievements of the pint-sized Argentinian dwarfs everyone else at Barca and Neymar, is probably yearning to step out of Messi’s shadow.
It’s not jealousy, just pure football instinct, the freedom to roam around in the field, to dictate terms on the turf and yes, if it comes with the tag of the most expensive footballer in the world, then it’s the icing.
Take a bow, Neymar. You have arrived. In style in the French capital. Ligue 1, not a patch on the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga, will suddenly come alive on the screens.
