PSG’s £195m bid makes perfect sense as Neymar looks to step out of Messi’s shadow

[Photo: Courtesy]

Brazil came to consider the Fifa World Player of the Year award as its own private property.

Between 1994 and 2007, five Brazilian stars took home the trophy on 8 different occasions – Romario, Rivaldo and Kaka won it once, Ronaldinho twice and Ronaldo three times, according to the ="http://www.sun.uk/">Sun<.

It set the bar for the next generation.

Neymar grew up idolising Robinho.  He was not going to make the same mistake.

His career was designed to be taken step-by-step.

There was no rush to move to Europe, and when he made the move four years ago, Barcelona was an obvious destination.

He could develop in the shadow of Lionel Messi, and ease himself in gradually to the challenge.

But in the long term, the shadow of Messi would not always be so refreshing.

Neymar would want to strike out and find his own place in the sun – the only way that he could get his hands on that world player of the year award.

He was never going to win it if he was not even the outstanding player in his own team.

There were three possible scenarios; Messi might move on, Neymar might replace him as the team’s leading figure, or Neymar might move on.

A move to France would carry a number of possible advantages.

Neymar could be the team’s main star.

He would be part of a club that is a growing force in the Champions League, with realistic hopes of winning the trophy.

And he might be able to dose himself in the domestic league, leaving some gas in the tank for next year’s World Cup.

From the point of view of PSG, they have had a grandstand view of Neymar’s capabilities.