So, I've finally caught up with the Neymar thread from last night. I've seen some ridiculous things, but as I don't have infinite time, I'm going to have to concentrate on BBZ as he was the most consistent poster of questionable content.
BBZ, you state that you believe that Neymar is in the top 5 players in the world, and yet you criticise him more than any other Barca player, or rather try to undermine his achievements and quash any praise that he may get. Your reasons for doing this are that he is 'overhyped', and 'overrated'. YOU think that Neymar is in the top 5 players in the world, but as everybody else is overhyping him, I guess that means the rest of Barcaforum believes that he is in the top 3 players in the world, maybe even top 2? This is simply not true. So basically, your definition of overhyping is the view of many that 'Neymar has had a great season, 30+ goals is a fantastic achievement, he will only get better'. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see this a overhyping, I think that is quite a sensible review of his season and seems to be the general consensus on here.
You continue to make the 'stat-padding' argument, claiming his goals are false as Barca score more goals than they used to, presumably as the gap is now bigger between the top and bottom teams. You completely disregard (and ridicule) somebody else's post who points out that half of Neymar's goals have come against top opposition (which kills your stat-padding argument that is solely used for Neymar), and ignore the fact that he very, very rarely takes free kicks and penalties. When he does score one of the few free kicks he takes, it doesn't count as it isn't from open play. I won't go into cup goals as they are completely pointless to you. I mean, who even wants to win the Copa del Rey? It's only another trophy.
You always feel the need to compare players. You keep bringing up Eto'o, who is a legend but completely irrelevant to the argument. Someone may say 'Neymar has done well this year in scoring 30+ goals' and you would chip in with your stat-padding argument and say that he cannot be compared to Eto'o (which nobody is doing apart from yourself!), it is disrepectul to compare him to Eto'o and say that Eto'o scored less but is a better goalscorer. You have started this Suarez vs Neymar poll to try and divide the fans and undermine Neymar, yet nobody has said that Neymar is better than Suarez (or if they have very few have). Yes, Suarez is a better player than Neymar (at the moment) and so he deserves to win the poll, but is that any shame for Neymar? No. Messi is a far better player than Suarez, but does that make Suarez a bad player or a waste of money? No.
Finally, and now we're to the good part. You have said that, if Barca win the Champions League, Neymar is a legend in your eyes, immune from criticism. If Barca don't win the Champions League, you and many others will hate on Neymar more vociferously. I think that is the most ludicrous thing I have seen on this forum. I'm going to create a couple of completely hypothetical situations for you.
Scenario 1
Champions League Final. 3rd minute of injury time. The score is 2-2, Neymar scored both our goals and has been MOTM. He runs in to the box and is taken down by Carvajal for a penalty. Up steps Messi to win us the trophy... he misses. Real go up the other end and Ronaldo scores the winner.
Scenario 2
67th minute. The score is 0-0. Neymar has played dreadfully, and is subbed off for Pedro. Pedro inspires a Barca comeback and sets up the winner for us to win 1-0. Barca win the Champions League.
So you're telling me that in Scenario 1, Neymar receives endless hatred, abuse and criticism, us losing is his fault. And yet Scenario 2, Neymar is a Barca legend and cannot be touched? I know my examples are a bit extreme, but I'm just trying to point out to you how ridiculous it is of you to judge Neymar's peformances and status at Barca based on whether we win the Champions League, when it could hinge on something that is completely out of his control (like somebody missing a sitter or a penalty).
I feel as though I have aged 5 years writing this, but I feel obliged to defend a Barca player who, in my opinion, receives far too much criticism.
) and that's a good thing. His ceiling is high.
