5 best Neymar performances for Barcelona

FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano - La Liga
Hasta la Vista Neymar!

The hottest transfer saga in world football finally got a closure last night when Paris Saint Germain announced the signing of Neymar Jr. for a mind boggling sum of €222 million. Despite attempts from La Liga to botch the transfer, the Parisians succeeded in acquiring their biggest ever scoop till date.

Neymar had an eventful stint with the Catalans where he spent four years and scored 105 goals in all competitions.

During his time in Spain, the Brazilian poster boy won two La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey trophies, a Supercopa de Espana, one Champions League and one Club World Cup. His partnership with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi became a sensational troika for Barcelona with the "MSN" wrecking havoc in Spain and in Europe.

On the day of his unveiling in Paris, let's take a trip down the memory lane and re-live Neymar's 5 best performances in a Barcelona shirt:


#5 Neymar vs Rayo Vallecano (2015)

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The 2015/16 season was the best season for Neymar in which he scored 20 goals and delivered 19 assists. In October, Barcelona welcomed Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou for a league game which the Catalans comfortably won 5-2, courtesy Neymar's four goals.

It was a magical performance from the Brazilian who also termed this match as "one of his best games for Barcelona."

Neymar won two penalties in the first half and converted them with relative ease. He then scored a double in the next 45 minutes after some good link-up play with Luis Suarez. The Brazilian then capped it off with a fine assist for Suarez to complete a brilliant individual performance.

It was a beginning for what turned out to be an unforgettable season for the Catalans where they completed a historic treble.

#4 Neymar vs AS Roma (2015)

FC Barcelona v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League
Despite missing a penalty, Neymar was at his influential best

The Catalans dismantled Roma 6-1 in the Champions League group stage at their home turf. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored a brace whereas Neymar missed a penalty late in the game.

Though he was not able to be a top-line figure on the score sheet, Neymar's overall contribution in the match meant this performance would be remembered as one of his most influential ones.

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His defence splitting pass to Dani Alves helped the fullback assist Suarez. His mesmerizing dribbles and brilliant one-twos led to the second goal while Neymar's delightful cross helped Suarez to score the third. The Brazilian was also involved in the fourth where his smart play with Messi helped Pique score the fourth. He then won a penalty which Adriano duly scored whereas his outrageous skill helped Barcelona add one more.

This game reflected that the transition of a flashy showboating youngster was in process to become one of the best players in the world.

#3 Neymar vs Villarreal (2015)

FC Barcelona v Villarreal CF - La Liga
Neymar scored a stunner against Villarreal

November 8, 2015, proved to be the day when Neymar scored the best goal of his Barcelona career. The Catalans welcomed the Submarines in a La Liga game which turned out to be a pretty easy 3-0 victory. Neymar scored a brace while Luis Suarez confirmed the win with another goal. The first Neymar goal was routine stuff for the Brazilian who arrived at the right moment at the right time and scored with a simple finish.

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His second was a thing of beauty. An epitome of the phrase 'Poetry in Motion.' The move was started by Neymar itself in his own half before Suarez completed the pass back to Neymar.

In three steps, the Brazilian scored one of the best goals ever scored at the Camp Nou. Neymar controlled the ball on his thigh before flicking the ball over the rushing defender and then smashing a volley in the back of the net. He scored from 12 yards out and in all this, the ball never touched the ground.

#2 Neymar vs Real Madrid (2013)

Real Madrid CF v FC Barcelona - La Liga
Neymar was the man of the match in his first El Clasico

The 21-year-old was in his first season in Spain with millions of people eagerly waiting for Neymar's first El Clasico. Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona is seen as the greatest stage in club football with many players making or breaking their careers in this fixture. Neymar proved to be too good for the occasion and produced a scintillating performance to win all three points for his side.

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Playing on the left wing, Neymar received a long ball with which he dribbled past Dani Carvajal with ease. He shimmied away from Pepe and hit a low shot which was beyond the diving Iker Casillas. He then provided an assist for Alexis Sanchez's winner and was awarded the man of the match award for his exploits.

Neymar was substituted in the 84th minute and rightfully received a standing ovation from the Camp Nou crowd in his first ever El Clasico.

#1 Neymar vs Paris Saint Germain (2017)

FC Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg
Neymar termed this match as the best that he had ever played in

A miraculous comeback took place in last season's Champions League knockout stages when Barcelona defeated PSG 6-1 in the second leg to overcome a 4-0 first leg deficit. It was in that game where the Parisians took note of Neymar magic and started the process of luring him to France.

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Barcelona needed three goals in just over six minutes to claim an unprecedented victory and were looking down the barrel till the 87th minute. But the Brazilian star had some other ideas. He smashed home a free kick from a tight angle before calmly slotting a spot kick in stoppage time. The score was 5-1 and the game then hinged on one last set piece.

Neymar delivered a beautiful cross which was met with perfection by Sergi Roberto who diverted the ball into the net. The game ended in Barcelona's favour and the hero of the match was Neymar who struck a knockout blow to the Parisians.

Guess it was a sort of revenge to sign the man from Barcelona who had broken millions of Parisians' hearts last March.

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava