Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez has recently joined the ongoing debate surrounding Neymar’s legacy. The former Real Madrid star opines that Neymar could have won multiple Ballon d’Or titles if it weren’t for the remarkable dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“In my opinion, if not for Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar would have secured three Ballon d’Or awards. Competing with these legends was a significant hurdle,” Rodriguez stated during his appearance on the Los Amigos de Edu program (via Tribuna).
This statement reignites discussions regarding Neymar’s place in soccer history. Despite being one of the most gifted players of his era, he has never won the prestigious Ballon d’Or, primarily due to the fierce competition from two of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.
Neymar’s Ballon d’Or near misses
Since his first nomination for the Ballon d’Or in 2011, Neymar has finished in the top three two times. His closest opportunities were in 2015 and 2017, where he placed third behind Messi and Ronaldo.
| Season | Club | Rank |
| 2011 | Santos | 10th |
| 2012 | Santos | 13th |
| 2013 | Santos/Barcelona | 5th |
| 2014 | Barcelona | 7th |
| 2015 | Barcelona | 3rd |
| 2016 | Barcelona | 5th |
| 2017 | Barcelona/PSG | 3rd |
| 2018 | PSG | 12th |
| 2021 | PSG | 16th |
When Neymar transitioned from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 for a world-record $242 million, one of his key motivations was to escape Lionel Messi’s shadow and claim the Ballon d’Or. Nevertheless, despite winning numerous league titles and domestic trophies, the individual accolade has remained elusive, often due to injuries and the remarkable performance of Messi and Ronaldo.
Last year, Neymar himself acknowledged that he believed he should have won the award during his tenure at PSG: “I was at my best when I played for PSG. I should have won the Ballon d’Or for my performances there, but injuries were a setback that hindered me.”
Current Status of James and Neymar
Both Rodriguez and Neymar have shifted from European football in the later stages of their careers. The former, now 33, joined Mexican side Club Leon in January 2024, following a period with Rayo Vallecano in Spain.
Neymar, on the other hand, returned to his childhood club Santos earlier this year after an injury-stricken spell at Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. Despite his challenges, Neymar has displayed impressive form in the Campeonato Paulista, netting three goals and providing three assists in seven matches.
