This might just be the end of Elite Neymar

Despite Neymar’s flaws, the diving, that excruciating Mister Potato advert, the questionable clothes, the holidays to Ibiza during Covid, the knack (and subsequent 7-1 defeats), the shallow decline from Barcelona to PSG to Saudi Arabia, it was impossible not to have a modicum of sympathy for Brazil’s No 10 on Wednesday. Neymar was left writhing around in pain after the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee decided to part company during Brazil’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Uruguay, meaning the 31-year-old now faces surgery and at least eight months on the sidelines. Is this the end? With the help of modern medicine, maybe not. Perhaps a year from now, Neymar 3.0 will still be hobbling around a pitch in Riyadh, scoring penalties in a bid to justify his £138m salary. But this might be the end of Elite Neymar, a player who last month surpassed Pelé as Brazil’s record male goalscorer. And it was not a pretty way to go out, leaving the field in tears after landing awkwardly in Montevideo. “It’s a very sad time, the worst,” he sighed. “I know I’m strong, but this time I’m going to need my family and friends even more.”

A good job, then, that Al-Hilal agreed to fund Neymar’s 30-strong entourage when he signed for the Saudi club in August, a deal that also included non-negotiable demands of (not a joke, deep breath) … a house with three saunas, a pool “at least 40 metres long”, seven full-time workers, including a sous chef to work with his own head chef, a guaranteed supply of açaí juice and Guaraná drinks in his fridge, a private plane, three dedicated supercars (Bentley, Aston Martin, Lamborghini) plus four Mercedes G-Wagons and a luxury chauffeured van to be kept “available at all times”. Obscene really, but doubtless all things that Neymar would trade for a new knee in a heartbeat.

The frightening pace of his early years – along with that mullet thing he had going on – has sadly disappeared, but there is little doubt that in terms of pure talent in the world game, few can match the Brazilian, who burst on to the scene at Santos, a blur of pulled-up socks and nutmegs. Some of those early clips – “Neymar Jr King of Dribbling 2011 | HD” – verge on a joke. He was a cheat code, a teenage freak who would lead his side to Copa Libertadores glory. There was a wonderful arrogance, and it was this fearlessness of youth combined with the humility of playing alongside Lionel Messi that spawned maybe his most potent version, forming one third of arguably the best forward line there has ever been: Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar. MSN.

There have been showboaters from Brazil, from seal-dribbler Kerlon to Ronaldinho. Neymar was always firmly in the latter camp – joyful, spontaneous football but with a purpose. Neymar’s style now feels almost extinct. How many true dribblers exist in today’s game? Jack Grealish has been coached into forgetting the swagger which earned him that £100m move, but who is going to argue with Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s treble? Keep the width, retain possession, pass it back to Rodri. In a stats-driven age of counter-pressing and xP (expected pass completions), there simply isn’t much room for a guy that wants to have fun. And football is poorer for that.

“This isn’t the first time my name has been in the press … It doesn’t help that my dad does it but he was on a golf trip in Spain with 19 other lads from the local pub. To be honest, I wasn’t too mad at him. He didn’t say anything out of turn. It just wasn’t helpful for the situation, he knew that. He obviously just had a few too many on the golf course” – Aaron Ramsdale opens up about “suffering and hurting” at the loss of his Arsenal No 1 spot to David Raya, as well as dealing with a Tin-infused parent calling out Jamie Carragher on Social Media Abomination TwiXer.

Oh, the ‘Wembley Trophy’ size 5 football (yesterday’s Football Daily letters). Aged 11. The schoolyard of an inner-city Leeds primary in 1972. Slade, snot and tarmac. The usual game before the start of the school day. In anger and frustration at a 7-6 defeat, I picked up the wondrous orange-and-black sphere and volleyed it hard and true (Lorimer style; ‘90 miles an hour’). The dinner lady copped it full in the face from about five yards. Her spectacles flew into the air – along with an explosion of fresh bright blood. The poor woman was led away with a face like Joe Bugner. An ageing caretaker appeared with a metal bucket of water and Dettol in a bid to wash the evidence off the hopscotch squares … then settled instead for the obligatory pile of school sawdust. Like a Bengal tiger, the Wembley Trophy ball had left its indelible mark” – Tony Harte.

Maybe I’m showing my age, but playing with a Mitre was like heaven compared to the leather, sponge-like balls we used to play with at school. After a good rain-shower – of which there were plenty in Ireland – it felt like we were kicking cannonballs. If not a near-broken toe when kicking, then a dull thudding slap off the thigh on impact would leave a mark for days” – Gerry Rickard.

I was put off playing footie after being blootered with such force by a wet and gritty Mitre ball that one side of my face was numb for a week. But who knew what joys (ciggies, Tin, bongo mags) I’d been missing at the other end of the playground. Thanks, Mitre” – Ben Carrdus.

Send your letters to [email protected]. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Tony Harte.

Belgium’s Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Sweden will count as a 1-1 draw after the match was suspended at half-time and later abandoned after the fatal shooting of two Swedish fans in Brussels. “When the football family is struck in its heart, sporting results are secondary,” said the Belgian FA’s Manu Leroy.

Mark Bullingham says he “recognises the hurt” caused to the Jewish community by the FA’s decision not to light the Wembley arch in the colours of Israel following the atrocities committed there by Hamas two weeks ago. “This is one of the hardest decisions we have had to make and the last thing we ever wanted to do in this situation was to add to the hurt,” he said.

Mohamed Salah has called for aid to be allowed into Gaza, making a donation to help those affected by air strikes and declaring: “Humanity must prevail.”

Saudi Arabia Women’s technical director Monika Staab thinks they should push to stage the 2035 World Cup. “I know they want to host the men’s World Cup [in 2034],” she cheered. “Why not host the Women’s World Cup in 2035?”

Manchester United are out of Women’s Big Cup, joining Arsenal and Wolfsburg on the sidelines before a ball is even booted in the group stage, after a 4-2 aggregate defeat to PSG. “There are teams going through to this competition that are not good enough,” huffed salty manager Marc Skinner. “Our standard is better than that standard, and it’s crazy that we have to play PSG in this qualifying round, crazy. It needs to be something that’s addressed.”

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho has been urged by senior members of the United men’s squad to apologise to Erik ten Hag. Or else.

Everton boss Sean Dyche isn’t worried about the club’s off-field issues – doubts about 777’s planned takeover and that FFP independent commission – and is comfortable with his position. “I know what I need to know and that’s enough for me,” he growled.

And Pakistan coach Stephen Constantine is still coming to terms with the 1-0 victory over Cambodia, their first-ever World Cup qualifying round win. “It is an unbelievable atmosphere here, I’ve not seen so many grown men cry in all my life,” he sobbed. “It is a massive deal; in their 75-year history it is the first time they’ve qualified for the second stage, they haven’t won since 2018 and it was the first home game for eight and a half years. It has been unbelievably emotional.”

“FC Barcelona and Spotify have done it again.” Uh oh, this can’t be good. “The jersey Barça will wear for El Clásico on 28 October will once again become an iconic garment set to grab worldwide attention.” Are they getting rid of the sponsor? Well, sort of. For the game against Real Madrid, Barcelona’s shirt will feature – and we’ll pause at this point to allow you up to 100 guesses, before revealing the answer – the Rolling Stones logo! Yes, in a lame attempt to appear cool and relevant that Football Daily knows all too well, the ageing hipsters have teamed up with Barcelona for a two-game shirt deal (the women’s team will also wear the kits against Sevilla). “We’ll be cheering on the players on the pitch as well as fans around the world who will be tuning in to watch this iconic match,” parped a Stones statement as the band join the likes of Wet Wet Wet, Goldie Lookin’ Chain and Enter Shikari in making the move into shirt deals. As for Barça, well, those levers aren’t going to activate themselves.

The first game of Pascal Chimbonda’s managerial career was a 3-1 defeat for his Skelmersdale United in the Macron Cup against Kendal Town. Will Unwin tagged along for an evening of rain, reality and sweary badinage.

“There’s no reason why the contentification of football should not produce interesting TV.” Aaron Timms come off his long run for a recap of the new Apple TV+ documentary about Leo Messi in Miami.

David Hytner catches up with Declan Rice post-Euros qualification for some topical Egg-chasing World Cup chat.

And Ben McAleer takes a look at what awaits Crystal Palace with their top talents tucked up on the treatment table.

Thirty years ago today, Norwich City travelled to the Olympiastadion to face Bayern Munich in Big Vase. “I can remember a pundit saying we could get beaten 10-0,” Mark Bowen told a Pink ‘Un anniversary interview. After finishing third in the Premier League’s inaugural season, Mike Walker’s side beat Vitesse to set up the tie. The visitors were in their memorable ‘egg and cress’ kits, but Bayern ended up with the former on their faces as Jeremy Goss pinged the Canaries ahead. “The BBC cameras panned to me and I was running towards the fans in disbelief,” recalled keeper Bryan Gunn. Bowen’s header capped a 2-1 win and after the return leg ended in a draw, Norwich went through. In the third round, they faced Inter – a reminder of how difficult Big Vase used to be – and lost 2-0 on aggregate. “There was maybe a bit of naivety but wherever we played we thought we could get a result,” Bowen added. “We had a way of playing, the dressing room was fantastic and we were full of confidence.”