Brazil wonder-kid Neymar has grown up and his form this season suggests the 23-year-old is following in Ronaldinho's and Lionel Messi's boots at Camp Nou.
Read: Igesund: Only Teenage Comes Close To Neymar
When Messi made his debut for FC Barcelona, a certain Ronaldinho was the main attraction at Camp Nou. Fans and opponents alike were in awe of his trickery, speed, dynamism and vision. However, in time Ronaldinho was replaced as the club's superstar by the Argentine. The Brazil legend helped the Messito become the player he is today. Now, a new potential main attraction is taking over at Camp Nou.
FC Barcelona have won an impressive eight out of nine games since the turn of the year, and Neymar has had a remarkable impact on this great run. The 22-year-old has scored eight goals and has assisted a further three in 2015, and has been flourishing in his second season at Camp Nou.
Neymar has scored 22 goals in all competitions for Barcelona, plus an additional seven for his country since the World Cup. The Brazilian has already bettered his goal return of last year and is playing with much more confidence – perhaps even too much, at times – than in his first year in Spain. He ended last year's campaign with 15 goals in all competitions, as many as he has scored in this season's La Liga campaign alone.
The Brazilian wonder-kid plays with such confidence that he starts to annoy the opposition. Eshibobos, take-ons and a couple of flicks are all part of Neymar's game when his side is in the lead. His Brazilian samba style is continuously angering his opponents, as was recently seen against Atletico Madrid when Luis Enrique had to substitute his starlet in order to prevent him suffering a number of ruthless tackles. It comes as no surprise that the 22-year-old is one of the most fouled players in La Liga, drawing more fouls than both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In addition, Neymar can prove his growing importance in comparison to Lionel Messi by the following facts:
1) He is the only Barcelona player to have scored both home and away in La Liga, Copa del Rey and in the Champions League this season.
2) With nine strikes, he has also scored more opening goals for the Catalan giants in La Liga than any other player. Messi is next with six goals.
If you take penalties away from Ronaldo's impressive campaign, Neymar surpassed the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner with his 29th goal in all competitions for club and country this weekend. Ronaldo has scored 28 goals for Real Madrid from open play and ten from spot-kicks, while drawing a blank for Portugal. Neymar, on the other hand, has scored 22 for Barcelona and seven for Brazil, all of which have been from open play.
After looking these stats, it doesn't come as a surprise that Barcelona have reportedly offered Neymar a contract extension until 2020. The Spanish media reported this weekend that the Catalan giants have reached a pre-agreement regarding 22-year-old's contract extension.
Read: The Secret Behind Neymar's Success
When Ronaldinho won the Ballon d'Or, Neymar was only 13-years-old, however he always stated how his countrymen had influenced his style of play and his desire become one of the best at Barcelona. Perhaps what we are observing are the early beginnings of a new era at Camp Nou – the era of Neymar da Silva Santos Junior!
Do you think Neymar can follow in Ronaldinho's and Messi's boots? Have your say in the comment setion below.
