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When Neymar completed his record-breaking transfer from Barcelona to PSG in the summer of 2017, it was assumed Brazil's dazzling superstar had finally moved out of Lionel Messi’s shadows –that is, in football terms, his bewitching performances would no longer be overshadowed by La Pulga’s utterly beguiling genius.
The Selecao playmaker packed his Box of Samba tricks, departing the Nou Camp and arriving the Parc des Princes under the most glittering of atmospheres. Neymar quickly adapted to life in Ligue One Conforama, helping PSG romp to another domestic title.
Yet, even with the spellbinding ascent of Golden boy Kylian Mbappe, and the beastly brilliance of Edinson Cavani in front of goal, Neymar's failure to inspire Les Parisiens through the Champions League knock out stages dealt a fatal blow to his hopes of a one-man Ballon d’Or coup in 2018.
Perhaps, it revealed a bitter truth too?
At Barcelona, Luis Suarez won his second European Golden shoe, cementing his place as the best striker in his generation as well as forging a cult hero status at the Nou Camp. His garments are neither spotless nor sparkling white, El Pistolero doesn’t share the same righteous reputation as club captain Leo Messi, but it is by playing alongside Messi, that Luis Suarez reached new heights.
In the last decade, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have become inextricably bound to greatness and consistency, setting the benchmark by which all others are measured. As such, when the GOATS are at their brilliant best, there is a corresponding reflection in the trophy cabinets of their respective employers, but when they are not at their peak best, the ship still sails anyway.
When you place a diamond in a dark alley, rather than overshadow the beauty of the neighbourhood, the precious stone -through the power of reflection- beautifies the narrow passageway. Such is the effect Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have had on Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, and while the relationship with respective teammates remains a mutually beneficial one, it is probably not true that the football aliens stole the shine off their colleagues.
For Barcelona, the likes of Gerard Pique, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez became key components of the Blaugrana's well-oiled machine with Messi at the heart of the system, and for Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema's performances became directly proportional to Cristiano Ronaldo's outrageous goal returns.
There's such a thing as being the best player in the dressing room, but when it comes to recognition and individual glory, Gareth Bale has written a remarkably brilliant story for himself.
Statistically, the Welshman was expected to contribute more to Real Madrid's successes, but while the left-back turned attacker struggled with injuries and consistency as Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate, he occasionally managed to weave his magic, often casting a spell on spectators with match-winning performances.
Gareth Bale's lightning sprint and unerring finish in the 2013/14 Copa del Rey final against Barcelona is one of those.
In the 2014 Champions League final in Lisbon, it was his header that gave Los Merengues the lead in an intriguing Madrid derby. That goal put Real Madrid in front, but it also demoralized Atletico's spirits and paved way for the massacre that followed.
Of course, we already know, that in the Real Madrid vs Liverpool showdown in Kiev, it was the introduction and immediate impact of Gareth Bale that made all the difference for Zinedine Zidane's men.
The Purest football comes from instinct and the appetite to make it happen regularly may be lacking on Bale's part, but while Cristiano Ronaldo helped shape Real Madrid's Champions League destiny over the years, Gareth Bale's overhead kick against Liverpool, through naturally unteachable instincts, helped sustain his exalted status on the corridors European football.
The Youtube clip exclusively captures the Welshman's ingenuity, but it also offers insight to how well the former Tottenham superstar has thrived since switching to a league with a reputation for harbouring some of the greatest footballers on earth.
Sometimes, it is just about the goals and team chemistry. Sometimes, individual genius is required to get results, but Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi's unmatched brilliance beyond the peak of their powers is proof of just how deserving they are of their GOAT status.
Ten years of spellbinding football. Ten solid years. Do you see Neymar and Bale dazzling well beyond their 30s?
Could they have done it with 10 pieces of wood? absolutely not, but while they reached such astronomical heights with the help of their respective teams, it can also be said, that Ronaldo and Messi's genius helped improve the performances of team-mates, just as much as their team-mates helped them improve, but more importantly it is their enchanting consistency at the top, that has kept them head and shoulders above everyone else.
Despite being a big favourite for the UEFA best player award, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to win the first individual accolade on offer post-Real Madrid. Does it have anything to do with Los Merengues' media machine? or was it just down Luka Modric's inspired World cup campaign with Croatia?
Had CR7 remained a Real Madrid player, would it have changed the outcome?
Under Julen Lopetegui, Gareth Bale has been phenomenal, netting in Real Madrid's wins over Girona and Getafe, and although Ronaldo's departure guarantees more appearances and more freedom on the pitch, CR7's transfer to Juventus doesn't automatically translate to better performances for the Welsh dragon.
En route the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Neymar recovered from injury in time to join the Selecao in Russia. It was another opportunity for the PSG playmaker to prove his point, he didn't. Both he and Messi were expected to lead their nations to glory, but ultimately, it was a disappointing tournament for the South Americans.
Gareth Bale and Neymar's arrival at Real Madrid and Barcelona was almost simultaneous, and separation from Ronaldo and Messi falls within a similar time-frame. But as they reach for greater heights without the GOATS, they can do so knowing their genius was never really overshadowed.
It is normal for managers to build their teams around their best players. But Real Madrid and Barcelona' heavy reliance upon Ronaldo and Messi was/is based upon their bewitching consistency, not necessarily their exalted status as all-time greats.
The onus was, and will always be on Bale, Neymar, and the others, to write their own stories and let the world decide whether or not they deserve to eat from the same table as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Andres Messi.
The myth of shadows is a hoax, but to become the best, you need to beat the best consistently. For Neymar and Gareth Bale, the fog has disappeared, the Gods have cleared the path and nothing is holding them back now.
