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Can Neymar meet his full potential in the same team as Lionel Messi?

Would Neymar be more effective if he was Barcelona's main man?

​​​​​​​Guillem Balague looks at Neymar's role at Barcelona and wonders whether he can reach his full potential in the same team as Lionel Messi.

Neymar signed a new five-year contract at Barcelona on Friday, but last week was also a reminder that he does not enjoy quite the same status as his strike partners.

Lionel Messi stole the headlines with a hat-trick against Manchester City on Wednesday, and Luis Suarez took centre stage when he was presented with La Liga's golden boot on Thursday.

But while Neymar has grown accustomed to his illustrious team-mates taking the limelight, his importance to Barcelona should not be underestimated.

The Brazilian made his 100th La Liga appearance on Saturday, helping Barcelona to their dramatic 3-2 win over Valencia.

Neymar made his 100th La Liga appearance against Valencia
Image: Neymar made his 100th La Liga appearance against Valencia

He has scored 59 goals and claimed 30 assists in that time, and while those totals are relatively modest by Messi and Suarez's standards, a deeper look at the stats shows a pattern of constant improvement.

In La Liga and Champions League games combined, Neymar's productivity has increased every year since his arrival at Barcelona in 2013. He has averaged a goal or assist every 64 minutes this season, down from one every 105 minutes in his first campaign.

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Neymar is providing goals and assists more frequently this season
Image: Neymar is providing goals and assists more frequently than ever this season

In Barcelona's attacking trident, Neymar often finds himself playing a supporting role. Last season he created more chances per game than both Messi and Suarez, and it's the same story this season.

But while Neymar is more of a provider than his fellow forwards, he is also becoming more of a goal threat himself. From averaging 2.6 shots per game in his first season with Barcelona, he is now taking 3.7.

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Then, of course, there's the dribbling. Neymar was accused of showboating in Barcelona's recent 5-1 win over Leganes, and he also angered Bolivia with his trickery in a recent game with Brazil.

But Neymar insists he won't change his approach, and he has the support of Luis Enrique.

"Ney has his own style," said the Barcelona coach recently. "I think it's spectacular for football."

Neymar makes more successful dribbles than any player in La Liga, and, as with his shots, his current average per game is the highest of his Barcelona career.

Neymar's dribbling and shooting stats have increased year-on-year
Image: Neymar's dribbling and shooting stats have increased year-on-year

Those stats show how Neymar is growing in stature, but there are question marks over whether he's at his most effective in the same team as Messi.

Neymar produced some of his best performances for Barcelona when Messi was injured last season. His team-mate's absence allowed him to take on more responsibility and move into more goalscoring positions. He enjoyed it.

Neymar's La Liga stats with and without Lionel Messi starting
Image: Neymar's La Liga stats with and without Lionel Messi starting

In fact, in the 16 La Liga games Neymar has started without Messi, the Brazilian has averaged more goals, more assists, more chances created, more shots on target and more dribbles.

Neymar loves learning from Messi and he talks up their relationship at every opportunity, but those numbers suggest he cannot play to his maximum potential in the same team.

Neymar has committed his future to Barcelona with his new contract, but sooner or later he might need to step out of his team-mate's shadow and take centre stage himself.

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