Neymar can become the best player in the world

At Barcelona he will be playing on the left of the front three with Messi and then a variety of options on the right flank. In Brazil, he played on the left and roamed centrally. It’s how he scored all his goals and how he dramatically made the goal for Jo with his outrageous dragback. This is an area of the field that he is best suited to because he will have more space.

Not only that, but because behind him he has Jordi Alba raiding from left back, when he does move in field, Barcelona will still have natural width. What it means, is that he won’t have to change his game. He can play as he has been in Brazil and he’s done that with excellent effect so far.

Neymar’s comparison with Messi is the key one

Last season, at just 21, in all competitions Neymar was involved in 43 goals. The season before that, 35, before that, at just 18, it was 29 and when he was only 17, he was involved in 17 goals. That is a kind of consistency which is hard to find, and almost non-existent at that age. It’s comfortably ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Instead, his career numbers are comparable to Lionel Messi. In fact, in the season in which the Argentine was 21, Neymar actually out-duelled him in front of goal.

The comparison with Messi is the key one. He is the generational talent, widely considered to be one of the best players of all time, by some considered the best. It will be against his team-mate that Neymar will be compared for all their time together. Cristiano Ronaldo probably has another 4 years of performance at his current levels, but Messi could have another 7. Those 7 years will be critical as he and Neymar will be team-mates at Barcelona.

If Neymar plays to his potential, and there is every reason to think he can, then he has the talent to be the best player in the world. Comparing Messi and Neymar at the same stage of their careers, the Brazilian starlet is right on pace with his new illustrious team-mate.

He has an absurd amount of talent, and if he keeps improving at the rates that he has, then there is every reason to think he can become the best. If he gets himself a World Cup or two and Messi doesn’t, then he might well swing the case in his favour. After this summer’s performances, there is a reason to be confident that he can win his home World Cup. Either way, it’s going to be fun to watch.