Dugarry: Neymar Has Only Himself to Blame for Ballon d'Or Failure
French legend Christophe Dugarry criticized Neymar for failing to win the Ballon d'Or, insisting that the Brazilian's lack of commitment was the main reason for his shortcomings.
Former French national team striker Christophe Dugarry has openly criticized Neymar, attributing his failure to win the Ballon d'Or to the Brazilian's lack of dedication and professionalism throughout his career.
Neymar, who left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a record-breaking €222 million fee, recently sparked controversy with his comments about PSG in an interview with RMC Sport. Following his move to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, these remarks have reignited anger among fans and figures like Dugarry.
“Neymar might be one of the most talented players in the world, but if he hasn’t won the Ballon d'Or, he has no one to blame but himself,” said Dugarry. “He played in exceptional conditions at PSG, with huge salaries, full stadiums, and world-class teammates. But he never acknowledged that he could have worked harder or been better.”
Highlighting Neymar's decision-making, Dugarry added: “I don’t deny that PSG had its issues, but players like Neymar had all the resources to succeed. If he failed to reach his potential, it’s because he didn’t push himself enough.”
These comments come as Neymar continues to deal with injuries and struggles to match the impact of other stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have dominated the Ballon d'Or era. Dugarry concluded that Neymar's career serves as a warning to other players with extraordinary talent.