Um, no. I just picked the last full season and this on-going season to see their current form. If we start talking about all career, then it's whole another conversation. Everyone is expecting Neymar to start the season as a starter, and it's up to him to keep that spot. His LW competition is Tello. Messi's equal? I dunno. On-pitch, they fight for the common goal so "equal", sure. Career-wise, tough task to say the least. But the better he does, the happier it makes me, and I'm confident he'll do great. I dunno. I rate Cavani to be currently the best one out of those three guys, though I don't especially like him (or the other two). But credit where it's due, imo.
No, I am not saying that he is as good as Messi, Not yet. And No, he is not coming to Barca as Messi´s equal. I am just saying that those stats are exceptinally good.
Off to a good start with Mesi's friends: http://blogs.lancenet.com.br/mundo/...eu-a-neymar-o-protagonismo-na-festa-de-messi/
Tactically, I think Barcelona's best line-up with Neymar and Messi could involve Fabregas as False 9 with Neymar (LF)-Messi (RF) making angled runs and linking up in the final third. I don't see Neymar-Messi-Sanchez forward line functioning. Sanchez is not comfortable at RW without freedom to take up central positions, and he doesn't mesh with Alves. Sanchez's best position for FCB is actually starting from the left and being able to dribble and cut in on his right foot. That's why the Neymar transfer is particularly ironic for me. I think Alexis will be out of Barcelona by next summer (I'd sell him now to raise funds). Two's a company and three's a crowd.
Messi didn't come to Barcelona to be anybody's equal either... but he became equal to the talent already there and surpassed them. Only history will tell.
Yeah, it's possible that he'll be on the move, but it would be good for Barca to have him as an option, just depends whether they'd want him merely as an option, and if he'd be happy with that. The answer to both of those questions is just as likely to be yes as it is no though. A top team like Barca needs a squad. What if Neymar or Messi got injured and they need to rotate? Two's an first XI, more is a squad.
Messi is set in his ways as a false 9. I don't know what would happen if he came back to RW. Luckily for us, Messi attacks on the right often. I do imagine Neymar and Messi alternating on the field of sorts. We will see. Messi is humbled so he might share with Neymar. However everything is up to Tito. I hope Tito gives Neymar his portion of freedom to do what he does.
David Villa, Ibrahimovic and other ex and current teammates might disagree with you on messi's humbleness and willingness to share the spotlight and limelight with neymar. []__[]
I said might. It might be better for the team as a whole if ie shares. He won't be breaking records constantly, but it will end the Messidepencia
All of his goals so far: 176 goals scored... 824 to go! He just have to score 64 goals per season until he retires at 34 years old... His goals per season ratio is at 44 right now though.
Wrote something on him recently (hasn't everyone). Evetually found a home at Sportskeeda http://www.sportskeeda.com/2013/07/07/how-barcelona-can-help-neymars-brazil-conquer-spain/
I heard about the 17 million transfer fee. The other 40 is for Neymar for his player fee. Whatever that means.
Neymar will have it easier at la liga than he had it in brasil, people always get mad when i say this. But they confuse this with saying the brasilian league is better than la liga. But the fact is it has nothing to do with that. Only that barca is so much better than any other club in la liga bar madrid that no team will be able to concentrate on neymar and dedicate their entire game plan on stopping him. []__[]
It's better for him than to start against Aletico Valencia or Real ... hope he will score one ... to build up his confidence
I personally think Neymar will have great stats in Spain in league play. Now the challenge will be in the Champions League.
I don't know if I necessarily agree with that line of thinking. I believe starting vs a team like Valencia would be good. If he plays well vs Levante, expectations will be even higher than they already are. I'd rather see him have a solid performance vs Valencia to settle in than see him go off vs Levante.
Bottom line is Neymar will have it a lot easier in la liga games barring real madrid games. The only club on the level of barca and with players and a squad as strong as the one barca has. Barcelona Pre-Season schedule: July 20 Lechia Gdansk July 24 Bayern Munich July 27 Valerenga IF August 2 Santos FC August 7 Thai National Team August 10 Malayasian selection []__[]
I can see you still have doubt on Neymar while I don;t. In a normal process, easy test/trial go first and difficult one comes after NO? Messi was granted a starting game vs Udinese 2005 ... which was a good experience for him ... learn/watch Roandinho made a hat trick there!
Just check my post history with the keyword "Neymar" and you'll see I don't have any doubts. I just don't agree that an easy game is the best, but I do agree that starting off against Madrid wouldn't be either.