THE PRINCE WHO NEVER BECAME KING

The path to succession from Prince to King is often straightforward. The next in line is crowned King once he who reigns is no longer fit to rule. However, what becomes of the Prince in the era of two Kings who have torn the natural order of existence and remained dominant over the land long beyond comprehensible tenure? This Prince was not like the other pretenders who once challenged for the throne before him. He was a champion, generational, a showstopper, and a worthy successor to the duopoly that had reigned so supreme.

In the midst of arguably the two greatest aliens to ever grace the sport, a third otherworldly specimen was born. Bursting onto the scene in a fashion foreign to the footballing world, although the two reigning Kings Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo possessed unfathomable ability, the magic they produced had become familiar. This Prince was unique. The South American flair paired with the European football intelligence he demonstrated brought trickery unlike anything seen before.

The Brazilian story had become all too familiar. A natural and instinctive trickster, yet a far too common tale of unfulfilled potential. However, with this talent there was no doubt. This was a force, but not in the conventional form. This was an unorthodox, exuberant entity, a challenger ready to conquer beyond simply the Brazilian terrains.

In what could be described as one of the golden generations in footballing history, it was fitting for the world to be treated to the 2010s edition of Brazilian generational talents, following in the same vein as Kaka, Ronaldinho and R9. The one kid believed to hold the mantle for the Selecao for the generation to follow. Step forward Neymar Junior, hailing from Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, whose glimmering light in the potential revival of Brazilian football did not fail to dazzle the masses. From a young age he earned a sponsorship deal with Nike at just 13 years old. It became clear very quickly that Brazil had produced a saviour, something supernatural, and with the correct nurturing his claim to the throne at the pinnacle of football was very real.

In the 2011 to 12 season Neymar announced himself to the world. After breaking through the season prior, he scored 44 goals and provided 17 assists at just 19 years old, guiding boyhood club Santos to a Copa Libertadores with a smile on his face and a tchu tcha tcha in his feet. The kid had arrived and caused destruction all across Brazil. Home was conquered. Next step, the world.

With the eyes of the world tracking Neymar’s every move and drifting to his rhythm, the richest owners across the globe caught Neymar fever and fought hard for his signature. After fending off competition from across Europe and after facing Neymar himself in the Club World Cup final, Barcelona became his next destination. The champions of Europe, and more importantly the home of one of the two reigning Kings, Lionel Messi. Where better to keep an emerging threat to your throne than in your shadow?

And that is where Neymar remained. Despite constantly waving his wand and leaving crowds in a trance, the spell he cast was often broken by the incomparable brilliance of Lionel Messi. Yet Neymar’s own light still shone brightly, scoring 105 goals and assisting 76 more in only 186 appearances. But the sun will always outshine a lightbulb. During his Barcelona years, the four Ballon d’Ors on offer went to Cristiano Ronaldo three times and Lionel Messi once. The two Kings continued to dominate and somehow trump any perceived threat. For a King to rise from the ashes, he must be working upon fresh land.

The brightest lights always find a way to escape the shadows. The chance for the crownless to be coronated still remained. In search of this glory, the Spanish pastures were left behind and the French streets of Paris called. Free from all shackles and free from the title of the eternal bridesmaid, Paris offered Neymar the opportunity to build his own legacy, fulfil his own destiny, and break free from the name of Prince. It offered him the opportunity to be crowned King.

Once again Neymar shone, but this time even brighter. He set ablaze the dull streets of Paris and made a foreign land his own kingdom. Reaching the peak of his brilliance at PSG, he marvelled every week, left defenders in his wake, and left supporters with mouths wide open at the magic he produced. During his Parisian reign he scored 118 goals and delivered 77 assists in 175 appearances. Performances alongside those at Barcelona cemented Neymar’s legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the sport.

Yet the title of undisputed King still eluded him. Winning PSG their first Champions League proved difficult, coming closest in 2020. Once again he fell back into the shadows of the relentless duo, with Messi winning three Ballon d’Ors during Neymar’s Paris years and Cristiano Ronaldo winning one.

The Prince who never became King, a title that forever lingered near Neymar, often through little fault of his own and partly due to injuries, and partly because Messi and Ronaldo were simply more alien than human. Neymar remains among the greatest to ever grace the sport and make no mistake, despite not reaching the unquestioned number one spot, the Brazilian remained in a stratosphere above all others. He brought joy, flair and excitement to football that had long been lost.

He was not the Prince who did not become King. Instead he was the Prince who captured the hearts, eyes and rhythm of an entire kingdom. Neymar da Silva Santos Junior, the Prince the kingdom needed.