Being on top of the world is a second-to-none feeling. Being a champion allows a team to be respected as the best, and the sense of pride and achievement that comes along with it is unparalleled. However, many will tell you that being on top is also a position of high vulnerability. When you are the best, you have a target on your back; the plunge to the bottom seems daunting…and sometimes inevitable. The French National Team was arguably the world’s most dominant unit between 1998 and 2006. During this time, France reached two World Cup finals, winning the tournament in 1998. In addition to this magnificent triumph, they won the Euro Cup in 2000 and two Confederations Cup tournaments. Stars like Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira led a talented group of French players that took over football on both the club level and international level. Fame and glory was embedded within the culture of Les Bleus, but the team’s fate took a devastating turn after the 2006 World Cup Final.

The game stood at a draw of 1-1 in extra time, and with a penalty shootout on its way, France would have liked their chances against Italy for the title, but things took a turn for the worst. After Italy’s Marco Materazzi muttered some words in the direction of Zidane, the French captain responded in a manner that left the whole world in shock. Zidane jogged a few steps ahead of Materazzi, turned around, and butted his head straight into the chest of the Italian. Zidane was shown a red card and sent off. That red card was not only a ticket for Zidane to exit the field, but a ticket that took France directly out of the world-football powerhouse conversation for years to come. The entire world was hoping that a legend would close out his career at the top that day. Instead, France’s leader left the field in embarrassing fashion. Though he was insulted, he responded with emotion; individual ego that superseded the team’s desire to be the best. A dejected squad was dragged down for the rest of the fixture. As Zidane exited the field, he walked right past the World Cup trophy; the moment when France lost its grip on it.

France not only missed their expert penalty taker; they fell apart in the most important moment of the entire tournament, and maybe in the teams’ history. Italy triumphed in a game that felt like a tragedy to many. ‘It should not have ended that way,’ many thought; it was a sour finish to a brilliant run. France’s dream of being the best team in the world – the dream that every country aspires to one day achieve – died that day. Another World Cup win would have made them immortals of the era. Yet, that dream became lifeless, and then came the inevitable fall of Les Bleus. The French team capitulated in a series of events that was worse than a nightmare. Their decline officially began with the 2008 European Cup. With a chance to respond to their last major defeat, and their backs against the wall, France performed terribly. They were eliminated in the group stage of the competition, losing in convincing fashion to both Italy and the Netherlands. Les Bleus finished the group in dead last and had a goal differential of -5 in the three games. Then came a shaky qualifying campaign, where France eventually had to settle for a playoff to even get to the World Cup. In the playoff against Ireland, France barely survived, winning 2-1 on aggregate on a deciding goal surrounded with controversy. Henry’s handball failed to be called, thus allowing him to set up William Gallas for the winning score.

Amidst all of the controversy, France still had a chance to prove that they were capable of being a football powerhouse. At the 2010 World Cup, France was favored to win a group that included Mexico, Uruguay and South Africa. Yet, the tournament soon became the event where the world witnessed the disaster that was French football. The team filled with talented superstars paled in comparison to the countries in their group, and finished last. They scored just one goal the entire tournament, and were embarrassed by Mexico and South Africa. However, the on-field failures seemed to be overshadowed by the off-field issues. Nicolas Anelka reportedly cursed out manager Raymond Domenech and was sent home. The star player losing his professionalism set off a chain of events in the French dressing room; mutiny began and the players who supported Anelka went on strike.

The French players refused to train, and Domenech was forced to state to the press that his team no longer desired to compete in the tournament. France had hit rock bottom. Individual veteran egos had once again distracted them from what was important. To make matters worse, France’s two most accomplished players at the time, Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery, were involved in an underage prostitution scandal. It seemed a joke at this point; France was the laughing stock of sports, and they seemingly could not do anything right. The French no longer had their backs against the wall; they were buried six feet under and the image of the team was tarnished. In September of 2010, the team fell to its lowest ever FIFA World Ranking (27).

This is where the redemption story starts. French soccer took a stand and handed lengthy bans to players that they saw as detrimental to the team’s dynamic. The savior, however, who truly led France out of the storm, was their new head coach: Didier Deschamps. Deschamps started his campaign with some unpopular, but very effective moves. He started promoting younger players in place of many veteran, high-quality players. Deschamps rejuvenated the team with young, talented roster who were all eager to represent their country. To him, the talent was not the issue. He was more concerned with the dignity and image of French football. He made it clear that no matter how talented a player was, playing for France meant that you were part of a family and that the game never revolves around the talent of one single man. He brought unity and a sense of togetherness back into the squad that seemed so distant from the French team in recent times. Younger stars like Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud shined under his coaching tenure, not only as footballing stars, but as Frenchmen who were playing for the spirit of their country.

Deschamps’ first test was the 2012 European Cup. France was a young team that showed some promise and had made it to the quarterfinals, where they lost to the eventual champions in Spain. A quarterfinal appearance in the European Cup was not a major accomplishment, but it showed signs that France was headed in the right direction. France played well in World Cup qualifying and in the years leading up to the 2014 World Cup, they displayed some of their best football in years. The 2014 World Cup showcased France’s brilliance as they made it to the quarterfinals and lost to the eventual champions, Germany, by a score of 1-0. The biggest validation of France’s potential came at the 2016 European Cup. France turned in a dominating performance at the tournament in which many stars were born. Dimitri Payet shocked the world with his fantastic control of the game, drawing comparisons to the great Zidane. Pogba and Griezmann also shined and let the world know that they were two of the best players at their positions. Pogba drew comparisons to France’s great Vieira, while Griezmann won player of the tournament. However, the biggest sign that the French process had worked was Olivier Giroud. Giroud was given a spot in place of star player Karim Benzema, in a move that was heavily unpopular with French fans. Benzema had continued to be involved in serious issues off of the pitch and simply could not keep his head straight. Deschamps showed that he cared about the team, not about the favor of any individual. He knew that Giroud was a countryman willing to play for his nation and he knew that Giroud wanted to prove that he belongs.

That semifinal victory over Germany in the 2016 European Cup was a sign that France was back. They were a world football power once again. Beating an experienced Germany side that many regarded as the best in the world showed the potential of this team. The French not only avenged their defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup, they had also avenged all of the sorrows that they had endured for the past few years. The Blues would go on to dominate the final, but lose to Portugal in one of the most shocking upsets of the year. They lost by a goal in extra time in a match where they dominated. The French players were distraught because it was their tournament to lose. The delightful mood among the young French players seemed to have completely died after the match; it felt like the 2006 World Cup Final defeat. The pain was visible, and just like the defeat to Italy, the moment felt incomplete. It should not have ended this way.

This time, with a team filled with young and promising star players, France picked itself up. This team knew that it had to look forward and continued to fight. The players brushed themselves off and realized that this was just the start. They have led an impressive World Cup qualification campaign thus far and have shown themselves to be serious contenders to win the 2018 World Cup. Players like Pogba and Griezmann are nearing the primes of their career, taking the football world over in the process. Youngsters like Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman have shown their promise with speed and versatility that is unmatched by players of their age. This time, the defeat does not feel as bad. This time, France can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Les Bleus is no longer a sorry excuse of a team, but a group of young, patriotic and highly-driven individuals. These individuals have no ego; they play for the team. They will continue to dominate football and they are here to stay. The 2018 World Cup is France’s stage to show the world that redemption is possible. They are going to Russia to show the world that only France can beat France, and no one else. Don’t be surprised if they are lifting the trophy in Russia next summer.

On February 14, 2017, FC Barcelona left the city of Paris with their tails tucked between their legs, after a 4-0 drubbing. Utterly humiliated by the capital team, Paris Saint Germain, Barça left France with their season in tatters. They lagged behind the leaders of La Liga and the team’s biggest rival, Real Madrid, and were now facing elimination in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2007/08 season. There was little hope for the returning leg. No team in the history of the competition had ever recovered from a 4-0 loss. Critics from across the world analyzed the game, and gave their take on the comeback: impossible, was the verdict.

A core group of fans believed. They rallied behind their beloved players, and ‘Remuntada’, Catalan for comeback, became the word for hope. And somewhere along the way, the players began to believe as well: especially one Neymar Jr. He posted a quote on Instagram and Twitter, stating: “As long as there is a 1 percent chance, we will have 99% belief”. And so, with the words spoken from their beloved number 11, Barça fans believed. Then came the day, March 8^th 2017. Camp Nou was filled to the brim, and the teams lined up. Barcelona needed five goals to win, and six goals if PSG scored; both very difficult tasks.  Yet, after an early goal by Luis Suarez, an own goal by Layvin Kurzawa and a penalty easily tucked away by Lionel Messi, Barça seemed to be heading towards the impossible. A goal by Edinson Cavani knocked their progress, and with PSG having one goal back, Barca now needed six goals to win on aggregate. 30 minutes remained still, but three goals seemed unlikely. As time ran out, so did hope. That was until the young Brazilian, Neymar, stepped up. With three minutes of regular time remaining, the left winger produced an outstanding goal from a dangerous free kick. He then stepped up for a penalty in the 90^th minute to draw Barça level. Finally, with stoppage time running out, Neymar provided a sublime pass for Sergi Roberto, to score the sixth goal of the game. And just like that, the Remuntada was complete. The impossible was done and Camp Nou erupted. The players celebrated in awe, while PSG were stunned; baffled at how they had surrendered a four-goal lead. And while Lionel Messi was usually the first name to sing praises for, tonight, a different man had stepped up in the time of need for Barcelona. The man whom Barça fans had put their faith in since he had arrived, and christened the heir of Messi. It was Neymar, who had led the team to this comeback. He was now their very own.

Four months later, and only a Copa Del Rey trophy in hand after a tough season, the love story between Neymar and Barcelona has grown somewhat cold. Over the last two weeks, a lot of speculation has been made over a possible transfer for Neymar to PSG. On the morning of July 18, Brazilian journalist Marcelo Bechler made what seemed to be an outlandish claim (at the time). He stated that reports from Paris and close friends of Neymar had revealed that the Parisian club would pay the astronomical release clause in Neymar’s contract, and sign the player. While many dismissed the rumor because the fee being mentioned was very large (£196 million or 222 million euros), the value of this transaction would shatter the current world record fee paid for Paul Pogba last summer by Manchester United (which was 100 million euros and incredible in its own right). But, within the last two weeks, several developments and events have turned this potential transfer into a likely possibility.

Within the next few days, Paris Saint Germain should have the world’s greatest talent within their ranks, and Barcelona will be 222 million euros richer. But, the real question arises as to why Neymar would leave Barcelona. He would be leaving a team in which he’s settled, playing with arguably the best player in the world in Lionel Messi, and part of a core group of players poised to compete for every trophy every season. Last year, Kevin Durant was ridiculed for joining the Warriors: a team that his own Oklahoma City side had relinquished a 3-1 lead to in the Western Conference Finals. Many criticized his attitude, and while the decision betrayed the team that had given him so much, it made sense on a sporting level. By the end of the 2016/17 season, Durant was the NBA Finals’ MVP, and had a ring to his name. In Neymar’s case, it seems he’s taking the opposite path. He’s poised to join a team that he himself embarrassed, and a team that does not seem to be able to consistently compete against other European Giants.

Prior to joining Barcelona in 2013, Neymar was the biggest sensation and young talent in the world. He was touted as the next best, hailed by legends like Pele, and clubs all around Europe were chasing his signature. When Barça won that signature, he came to the club ready to learn and work in tandem with Messi. He said all of the right things, and after a somewhat rocky start, was firing on all cylinders. He was instrumental in the treble that Barça won in 2015, scoring 23 times in the league, and 10 times in the Champions League, with most of those goals coming in the knockout stages, and one in the final. He then got a chance to carry the team in the fall of 2015 when Messi was injured for a couple of months. Neymar lifted the team at that time with his best performance coming in the Santiago Bernabeu, where Barcelona demolished Real Madrid on their own turf. He would play a big part in helping his team win a second domestic double. And even in a less-than-stellar season for Barça, Neymar produced moments of magic, such as in the ‘Remuntada’. Yet, it feels as though Neymar desires something more. All of the greatest athletes have egos. And to be the best, they must believe in their own abilities. While Neymar has played the role of a sidekick very well, he finds himself at a crossroads. His ambition remains to be the best, and win the Balon d’Or, something he believes he cannot do with Messi in his team.

Yet, joining PSG does seem slightly inadvisable. While he will be joining up with several fellow countrymen such as Dani Alves, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, Neymar would also be joining a team that still seems to struggle to perform at the highest level: on the international stage. His signing would definitely provide the team with a lift in morale. After all, Paris would be securing the world’s best after Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and would also be weakening a tough opponent in the process. Neymar could also become Paris’s own version of these two players, and becoming a legend is something that he has always desired. But, beneath the surface, it feels as though this decision is one made in haste. Staying at Barça would instead be a more positive move for the young Brazilian. Yes, Lionel Messi is and will be top dog, but the Argentine star has never shied away from letting Neymar have the spotlight. Instead of showing fear of being in the shadow of his teammate, Neymar should use the genius of “La Pulga” to his advantage.  Luis Suarez benefited from the help of Lionel Messi, scoring 40 times in La Liga, as Barça stormed their way to the league title. Eventually, Neymar would take over, as Messi is now 30 years old. While Messi will continue to play for years, time will take a toll, and his influence will wane slightly. And by then, Neymar will be able to take over the team.

Neymar’s move, in the end, comes at great risk and great reward for all parties. Neymar will move to a team that he can make his own and take to the next level. Paris will have one of the best current players, and the best player of the future. Barcelona, while losing an important cog in their system, will have an influx in funds to fix what many consider to be a broken midfield – so long as they don’t blow it all on a Neymar replacement like Mbappe or Griezmann. As for Neymar, he may want to reconsider his options. His move to PSG may or may not work out. He could become a Messi-like figure for Paris. However,  he may also end up like his own idol, Robinho, who after joining Real Madrid, never had the same success as he had in Brazil and played for several clubs across Europe without achieving anything. Neymar has truly made a huge decision in moving, but let’s just hope that it helps him be at his best, for he is the face of football.