Neymar has been branded as one of the most irritating players to play against by former Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran.
Juanfran battled often with Neymar during the Brazilian’s spell at Barcelona for four years, before the latter’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record £198million in 2017.
Having left Atletico for Sao Paulo in 2019, the 36-year-old labelled Neymar as ‘unbearable’ when asked by El Larguero at which opponent was his most irksome on the pitch.
Juanfran said: ‘Neymar. Off the pitch they tell me he’s a good kid, but on the pitch, unbearable. He’d provoke you with or without the ball – but I wasn’t a saint either.’
While Neymar is undoubtedly one of the world’s standout players on the ball, his gamesmanship, including a perceived overreaction to being fouled, can often infuriate opponents and fans.
This was never enough to overshadow his talent though, with 105 goals in just 186 games sealing a move to PSG, where despite injuries he has also bagged 85 goals in just 112 games.
Although his contract at the Parc des Princes is due to expire next summer, he could now sign a new deal in the French capital in the next few days worth around £26million a season.
Neymar’s new contract would come as excellent news for manager Mauricio Pochettino who is also hoping to tie down fellow forward Kylian Mbappe to a new deal.
It also reflects well on Pochettino that despite PSG’s Champions League semi-final heartbreak at the hands of Manchester City midweek, his star players are willing to stay in Paris under his tenure.
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