Here to help Messi. That was the message from Neymar as the Brazilian was unveiled by the Catalan club ahead of the Confederations Cup in June. And five games into his Camp Nou career, the 21-year-old has remained true to his word. Unfortunately, however, he has looked less like the shining star seen with Brazil and Santos, and more like yet another forward playing second fiddle to the world's finest footballer.
Neymar made a slow start to life in Barcelona, eased in intelligently by coach Gerardo Martino after a hectic summer in which he had his tonsils removed, lost seven kilos in weight and was also suffering from anaemia.
Signed to complement Messi and one day succeed the Argentine, Neymar began on the bench as Barca thrashed Levante 7-0, but emerged from the sidelines to net his first Blaugrana goal in the Spanish Supercopa first leg at Atletico Madrid as he headed home a Dani Alves cross for 1-1.
That goal earned Barca the trophy in the end, but a goalless game in the return at Camp Nou brought little joy for the Brazilian or for Messi as the four-time Ballon d'Or winner failed to convert from the penalty spot. Their partnership had been unimaginative, the performance uninspiring.
Last Sunday's trip to Mestalla was much more encouraging. Neymar raced through to convert early on, only to see the strike ruled out (incorrectly) for offside, while the Brazilian produced some excellent link-up play which included a clever cut inside and pass for Messi to make it 2-0. Barca then went 3-0 up (the Argentine scored them all) and held on as Valencia closed the gap to a single strike. It finished 3-2 to the Catalans, but it had been all about Messi. Not Neymar.
"Messi is a mirror for me; I am learning from him," the Brazilian claimed this week. However, he is unlikely to be allowed as much freedom as the Argentine any time soon. As Alves summed up in the summer, "Neymar can't come here to be the protagonist - because we already have one."
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