Just what exactly the hell is going on with Neymar and PSG?

Just what exactly is going on with one of the best soccer clubs in the world and one of the game’s best — PSG and Neymar?

The balance of power in European soccer seemed to have shifted in the summer of 2017. Neymar’s world record €222 million felt like the establishment of a new order at the top of the sport. The Brazilian was, at that time, the next best player in the world, the natural heir to Lionel Messi at Barcelona, arguably the biggest club on the planet.

And yet none of this was enough to keep him from the tractor beam of Paris Saint-Germain, soccer’s most opulent nouveau riche.

In France, Neymar was billed to become the face of a new sporting superpower. PSG immediately set about making the most of the Brazilian’s marketability, linking up with Jordan in a collaboration so ambitious it made the Avengers seem tame. Project PSG started long before Neymar arrived, but it was with his signing that things were really cranked up.

Of course, the landmark signing of Neymar hasn’t quite worked out as planned for PSG. Their brand may have been boosted significantly, they have shifted more merchandise, but their Champions League breakthrough never came. They have, as a soccer team, stalled over the past two years.

Now, Neymar has made clear his desire to leave French capital this summer and PSG, it seems, won’t try to stop him. They have grown tired of the Brazilian’s behavior, with questions over his conduct, attitude and commitment prompting PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to make some thinly veiled comments.

“The players are going to have to assume their responsibilities even more than before. It has to be completely different,” he said. “They will have to do more and work more. They are not here to have fun. And if they don’t agree with this point of view, the doors are open. Ciao! I no longer want to have superstar behavior.”

Once considered the vanguard of soccer’s next generation, Neymar is now seen as damaged goods. Although this hasn’t stopped the forward from being linked with a return to Barcelona this summer. In fact, the Catalans are reportedly clearing the decks, putting a number of their squad up for sale, to make space for Neymar.

Neymar needs Barcelona more than Barcelona needs Neymar, though. When the Brazilian left Spain two years ago he did so on his terms. Barca were caught cold by the forward’s decision to depart, with Neymar’s sale to PSG prompting boardroom politicking over how such an illustrious club could lose one of their prize assets.

This summer, however, Neymar is essentially standing outside Camp Nou asking for a former flame to take him back. Neymar wasted two years of his career by leaving Barca for PSG. Had he stayed at Camp Nou, chances are he would have continued on his upward trajectory towards becoming the best player in the world. The hope, at least from Neymar’s perspective, is that a return would see him resume that trajectory.

There has been a shift in power since the summer of 2017. Barcelona now have it over Neymar. While the Brazilian would undoubtedly improve their team, reuniting the Lionel Messi-Neymar-Suarez strike-force that brought so much success to the club, they have moved on. There was a time at which a Neymar-sized void was visible, but no longer.

They have Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho and Malcom and potentially Antoine Griezmann, who is expected to sign in the coming days. Barcelona will be just fine without Neymar next season while another season in Paris could see the Brazilian fall even further from the top. As far as he’s concerned, it’s Barca or bust.

In all likelihood, Neymar will secure a return to Camp Nou this summer. Barcelona might use some of the aforementioned players as makeweights to strike a deal. Back at a club that previously harnessed and got the best out of the Brazilian, it wouldn’t be surprising if Neymar’s star starts to shine again.

But in walking back through the Camp Nou door he will surely reflect on how he never should have left in the first place