Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar : With growing speculation about Neymar’s potential return to Barcelona in the summer of 2025, fans are divided on whether this would be a smart move for the club. Reports suggest that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is eager to make a marquee signing to celebrate the reopening of the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou. While Erling Haaland has been widely seen as the club’s top target, Neymar’s name has also surfaced as a potential option, especially since his contract with Al-Hilal is expected to end soon.
Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar
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However, bringing Neymar back may not be in Barcelona’s best interests. Despite his star power, there are several reasons why re-signing the Brazilian superstar could be problematic for the club. Here are three key reasons Barcelona should avoid bringing Neymar back in 2025. Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar
1. Injury Concerns
One of the biggest issues surrounding Neymar is his extensive history of injuries, which has severely impacted his availability on the field. Since joining Al-Hilal in 2023, Neymar has only managed to make a handful of appearances due to a significant ACL injury, which has limited his playing time. His stint at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was similarly plagued by injuries, raising concerns about his durability. Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar
For example, during the 2018/19 season, Neymar missed 33 games due to various injuries, a pattern that continued throughout his time in Paris. In the 2021/22 season, he suffered a major ankle injury that kept him out for 76 days, causing him to miss 15 games. The following season, he underwent ankle surgery, sidelining him for over four months and resulting in an additional 17 missed games. Such a frequent and extended absence from the field makes Neymar a risky signing for Barcelona, especially given the physical demands of modern football. Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar
Barcelona needs consistent and reliable players to strengthen their squad, particularly as they aim to compete for titles both domestically and in Europe. Given Neymar’s track record with injuries, signing him would likely mean dealing with prolonged absences, disrupting team continuity and game strategy. Relying on an injury-prone player like Neymar, especially when Barcelona is building a squad that can challenge for multiple trophies, would be a significant gamble.
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2. No Clear Place in the Current Squad
While Neymar is a versatile attacker who can operate in various forward positions, his preferred role is on the left side of the attack. However, this position is already well-covered in Barcelona’s current squad, which includes promising talents like Ferran Torres and Raphinha, both of whom have become important players under Hansi Flick’s management. Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar
Raphinha, in particular, has established himself as a key figure on the left flank, consistently delivering strong performances and becoming a fan favorite. Torres, though occasionally facing criticism, has shown moments of brilliance and potential. Adding Neymar into this mix would create a selection dilemma for the manager and potentially disrupt the cohesion of the existing lineup. It’s also unclear where Neymar would fit in Barcelona’s plans for future signings.
Moreover, Barcelona is expected to pursue Nico Williams in 2025, a young and talented forward who would add further depth to their attacking options. Signing Neymar could crowd the squad with too many players vying for the same role, reducing opportunities for younger players and stifling their development. Barcelona’s long-term success depends on nurturing emerging talents and giving them chances to play regularly, something that signing Neymar could hinder. Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar
3. Financial Constraints and High Salary
A significant barrier to bringing Neymar back is his enormous salary. Currently, at Al-Hilal, Neymar reportedly earns around €100 million per year, which is five times what he was paid at PSG. Given Barcelona’s ongoing financial challenges, accommodating such a high salary would be a major burden on the club’s finances.
Barcelona has been actively managing its wage bill, offloading high-earning players to stay within their budget. Recent departures, such as that of Ilkay Gundogan, highlight the club’s focus on fiscal responsibility and reducing overall salary expenses. Even if Neymar were to agree to a pay cut, his wages would likely still be much higher than what Barcelona can realistically afford. Bringing him back could potentially reverse the progress the club has made in stabilizing its finances.
The club needs to be cautious about repeating past mistakes of signing expensive players without thoroughly considering long-term financial implications. Barcelona has made strides to prioritize financial health, and signing Neymar would be a step backward. With other pressing commitments and the need to continue investing in younger, more sustainable talents, Barcelona would be better off directing their funds toward future-oriented players rather than taking on Neymar’s substantial wage demands. Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar
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Conclusion
Although the prospect of Neymar returning to Barcelona may excite some fans, it’s clear that this move would come with considerable risks. His injury history, the lack of a clear role within the squad, and his high salary make him an unsuitable option for a club already navigating financial challenges. Barcelona’s focus should be on building a team for the future, centered around younger players who can contribute consistently and grow with the club. Signing Neymar would likely hinder that process and strain their finances. Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar
For these reasons, it’s apparent that Barcelona would be wise to avoid re-signing Neymar in 2025. Instead, the club should continue its strategy of financial prudence and focus on building a balanced, competitive squad capable of delivering long-term success. The allure of bringing Neymar back may be tempting, but the practicalities suggest that Barcelona is better off looking elsewhere to secure a brighter future. Why Barcelona Should Avoid Signing Neymar
