adminMADRID. — In contrast to previous seasons, Spanish soccer champions Barcelona played their trump card in the transfer market early this year by securing the services of Brazilian starlet Neymar for 57 million euros back in May.The 21-year-old had been on the Catalans’ radar for some time with Barca having even made a down payment of 10 million euros to Santos for first option on the player a year earlier.
However, the confirmation of his transfer was hastened by the feeling that Barca needed to react quickly to having been thrashed 7-0 by Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League semi-finals.
Initial scepticism as to whether Barca really needed another forward option rather than a defender subsided after Neymar’s stunning performances as Brazil won the Confederations Cup in June.
One question that remains unanswered though is how Neymar’s talents will dovetail with four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi?
As much as the Argentine is often lauded for not being the stereotypical egotistical modern footballer, the success that both player and club have had in recent years has very much depended on building the side around Messi’s talents.
The need for Messi to play in a deep-lying central striking role hastened the sale of Samuel Eto’o, resulted in Zlatan Ibrahimovic ending his sole season in Catalonia on the bench and has also limited Cesc Fabregas’ chances to play where he has successfully combined with Xavi and Andres Iniesta with Spain. — AFP.
Online Reporter