Transfer: 2025 Winter Transfer Window - Rumors and Discussion

[Savant]

Some interesting Konate stuff in here and from the press conference today



- Confirmed not only that he came back early from injury, but that he’s playing on painkillers killers. It is absolutely insane that we’ve done this to him because we have refused to go into the market for a CB since we signed….Konate himself. Obviously have a hole there and now playing dangerous game with his health

- Possibly related, after being “close” to a contract extension that’s gone dead. Joyce is stating that Konate now wants to see what happens with the other (Salah, Trent, Virgil) extensions before committing. Also I’d imagine the previous bullet point would be figuring into this as well.

Konate saying the right things but this could be the next botch

 

[Fire Sweeney]

"What if" seems overly harsh on "what was," to me.

He is going to be extremely underrated by posterity because of the fitness issues in his late prime and the lack of Ballon d'Or (which is simply not his fault), but I do think he fully reached his potential. He was (IMO, unambiguously) the third best player in the world, non-stop, from 2013 through to 2020. He's the record goalscorer for the NT, who he carried (a fact not recognized by those who lambast him for never having won a World Cup).

If not for Messi and Ronaldo, he'd have multiple Ballons d'Or and no one would raise "what if."

A legend no doubt... just weird he would go back to a garbage team like Santos instead of Palmeiras, Mineiro or Botafogo. He probably knows he has less than a handful of games left in him.

 

[S E P H]

"What if" seems overly harsh on "what was," to me.

He is going to be extremely underrated by posterity because of the fitness issues in his late prime and the lack of Ballon d'Or (which is simply not his fault), but I do think he fully reached his potential. He was (IMO, unambiguously) the third best player in the world, non-stop, from 2013 through to 2020. He's the record goalscorer for the NT, who he carried (a fact not recognized by those who lambast him for never having won a World Cup).

If not for Messi and Ronaldo, he'd have multiple Ballons d'Or and no one would raise "what if."

Neymar is definitely one of the best players I have ever watched in my life.

 

[Power Man]

Sorta? They're good for some clubs but bad for others, dunno about FC VW.

Thanks mate

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

I suppose a buy agreement was too much to aske for. But maybe he'll magically stop sucking while there and con someone into paying actual money for him in the summer. I can hope.

If it was a buy he wouldn't be going to Betis. I doubt they're even significantly paying his wages.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

"What if" seems overly harsh on "what was," to me.

He is going to be extremely underrated by posterity because of the fitness issues in his late prime and the lack of Ballon d'Or (which is simply not his fault), but I do think he fully reached his potential. He was (IMO, unambiguously) the third best player in the world, non-stop, from 2013 through to 2020. He's the record goalscorer for the NT, who he carried (a fact not recognized by those who lambast him for never having won a World Cup).

If not for Messi and Ronaldo, he'd have multiple Ballons d'Or and no one would raise "what if."

A talent like Neymar shouldn’t be calling it quits at 32. He hit heights worthy of his talent but it should’ve lasted longer and he should’ve been competing for the ballon dor more. Hell Modric managed to win one Neymar could’ve as well.

International career should’ve produced more. He walks away without a major trophy.

 

[gary69]

A talent like Neymar shouldn’t be calling it quits at 32. He hit heights worthy of his talent but it should’ve lasted longer and he should’ve been competing for the ballon dor more. Hell Modric managed to win one Neymar could’ve as well.

International career should’ve produced more. He walks away without a major trophy.

Ronaldinho left Europe at the age of 31, so he basically had 9 good seasons in Europe. So not a long career at the top, but he peaked really high at both club level and with Brazil. But especially internationally his World Cup career should/could have been much better.

Maybe in a different era and with less injuries Neymar would have had similar career,

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Ac Milan targeting Varela in the summer

Ronaldo left Europe at the age of 31, so he basically had 9 good seasons in Europe. So not a long career at the top, but he peaked really high both at club level and with Brazil. But especially internationally his World Cup career should/could have been much better.

Maybe in a different era and with less injuries Neymar would have had similar career,

Yes his career was shortened too.

 

[Evilo]

Ronaldinho left Europe at the age of 31, so he basically had 9 good seasons in Europe. So not a long career at the top, but he peaked really high at both club level and with Brazil. But especially internationally his World Cup career should/could have been much better.

Maybe in a different era and with less injuries Neymar would have had similar career,

Neymar had a better career than Ronaldinho IMO.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Cesare Casadei to Torino. We hardly knew ye.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Neymar had a better career than Ronaldinho IMO.

I could not disagree more.

Neymar should have had a better career IMO but his legacy will always been tainted by no Ballon d'Or and lack of international success with the National team and not being able to bring CL to PSG. Hard task, maybe but his legacy will be Santos/MSN and injuries...

He was most likely the better player although very different but he will be remembered by Brazilians like a Zico, brillant player but underachiever for the National Team. Also for Brazilians the NT is the most important indicator of a career. Ronaldinho was so good internationally and for his club. Also an Icon to all modern footballer.

To make it even worse, the only time Brazil won a NT cup (Copa America) during his peak was when Neymar was absent due to injury.

 

[S E P H]

I suggest both players had clear talent in different categories. Ronaldinho was an absurd 1v1 player, while Neymar created a lot of offence out of nothing for himself. If I was starting a team, I would take Ronaldinho because he comes across as a better teammate, but Neymar probably had more top-tier talent.

 

[Savant]

You know, if you put 2013 Santos Neymar into the 2003 Barcelona when Ronaldinho arrived and that carried that team; I’m not sure they get the same results.

You put 2003 Ronaldinho in with Suarez and prime Messi? I think that’s better? Obviously it has a short shelf life but with motivated, in shape Ronaldinho I certainly don’t think it’s worse

Yeah I would rather have

03 Ronaldinho - Suarez - Messi

Vs (I think I got the years right but might be a bit off)

13 Neymar - Eto’o - Ludovic Giuly/rookie Messi

 

[koyvoo]

Ronaldinho shits all over Neymar

 

[les Habs]

Neymar definitely had a better career than Ronaldinho as a result of longevity, which is odd to say in this conversation. Both fall into the “what could have been” category for me.