FC Barcelona went out of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in humiliating fashion. The Spanish club fell 8-2 to FC Bayern Munich, and it raised a lot of questions, particularly one regarding Neymar Jr.
The 28-year-old departed from Barca three years ago and have yet to replace the Brazil international. Former Manchester United FC defender and current BT Sport analyst, Rio Ferdinand, stated on the postgame show with his words relayed by Daily Express over the lack of support they’ve provided for Lionel Messi.
“They’ve spent, what is it, £800m since Neymar left and still they’re reliant on Messi, who came through the youth system there and the older players in the team who were there before that was spent as well,” Ferdinand said.
Neymar made the right decision to leave Barcelona but no one will say that in the mainstream football media.
— PSG Talk 💬 (@PSGTalk) August 14, 2020
Since the departure of Neymar, Barca has made three significant signings in their attempt to replace the Brazil international. Philippe Coutinho, Ousmane Dembélé, and Antoine Griezmann. None have come close to filling the shoes left behind by Neymar.
Coutinho failed and went to Bayern Munich on loan where, ironically, he scored two goals and had an assist in that 8-2 victory for the German club. Meanwhile, Griezmann sat on the bench before coming in as a substitute, and Dembélé didn’t see any game time.
The fall of Barca dates back to their inability to spend the money they received wisely to replace their outgoing star. Instead, they mismanaged it on players who are now deadweight on their wage books.
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
