#The violence that his artistry inspired ultimately became his downfall

[aastraeus]

No arbitrary debates about what he "should" have achieved can ever take away what Neymar means to the game. He inspired a generation to see football not just as a matter of wins and losses but as an art form. The seat next to Ronaldinho is taken. And it's the boy from Mogi das Cruzes who occupies it.

Football-mad teenagers the world over stayed up on shoddy Brazilian streams just for the boy with the Mohawk and the nasal strips. And for those who needed to sleep, the next day YouTube compilations made sure that everyone knew exactly what audacious skill he pulled off the night before.

While others left Brazil early, hellbent on proving themselves in the European game. Neymar seemed to understand more than most that it isn't really about how where you play the game that attracts an audience. It's about how you play it.

The very embodiment of Joga Bonito. His game so beautiful that the only way to combat it was through brute force. While some hold his injury record against him, watch back any of the horror tackles he used to receive routinely and it starts to make more sense. The violence that his artistry inspired ultimately became his downfall. An irony so bittersweet that it could only be devised by the football gods.

In any other era, he'd have a Ballon d'Or. But is it really such a big deal that he doesn't? A Champions League trophy, Puskás Award, Copa Libertadores, and ten league titles is a career that most can only dream of. And with Pele's record for Brazil only a goal away from being his, his importance to A Seleção Canarinha will soon be a matter of historical record. No matter what the naysayers have to say about it.

In an age when players are increasingly becoming robotic, we seem to forget that we've been graced with a genius whose talents could never be boiled down to numbers. A career that should be celebrated, not put under a microscope.

You can debate as much as you like. But don't let the discourse keep you from enjoying Neymar. For all his talents and all his faults. Because when it's over, there won't be anyone like him again.

Credit: Copa90 | Via Instagram

[noether]

No arbitrary debates about what he “should” have achieved can ever take away what Neymar means to the game. He inspired a generation to see football not just as a matter of wins and losses but as an art form. The seat next to Ronaldinho is taken. And it's the boy from Mogi das Cruzes who occupies it. Football-mad teenagers the world over stayed up on shoddy Brazilian streams just for the boy with the Mohawk and the nasal strips. And for those who needed to sleep, the next day YouTube compilations made sure that everyone knew exactly what audacious skill he pulled off the night before. While others left Brazil early, hellbent on proving themselves in the European game. Neymar seemed to understand more than most that it isn't really about how where you play the game that attracts an audience. It's about how you play it. The very embodiment of Joga Bonito. His game so beautiful that the only way to combat it was through brute force. While some hold his injury record against him, watch back any of the horror tackles he used to receive routinely and it starts to make more sense. The violence that his artistry inspired ultimately became his downfall. An irony so bittersweet that it could only be devised by the football gods. In any other era, he’d have a Ballon d’Or. But is it really such a big deal that he doesn't? A Champions League trophy, Puskás Award, Copa Libertadores, and ten league titles is a career that most can only dream of. And with Pelé's record for Brazil only a goal away from being his, his importance to A Seleção Canarinha will soon be a matter of historical record. No matter what the naysayers have to say about it. In an age when players are increasingly becoming robotic, we seem to forget that we've been graced with a genius whose talents could never be boiled down to numbers. A career that should be celebrated, not put under a microscope. You can debate as much as you like. But don't let the discourse keep you from enjoying Neymar. For all his talents and all his faults. Because when it’s over, there won’t be anyone like him again.