Ranking Neymar's First Two Months at Barcelona

Neymar arrived into Barcelona amid much fanfare and a welcoming party of 60,000 supporters at his official unveiling.

How heavily would the pressure weigh on his young shoulders? 

Well, the Brazilian has enjoyed a sparkling start to his career in Catalonia and has already settled well into the left-sided berth.

Despite only registering once on the score sheet in La Liga, his header secured the Spanish Supercup, and his all-round play has been more than satisfactory.

Let's take a look at the various facets of his game during his time at Barca so far.

6. Goals

Neymar has a solitary goal for Barcelona so far—but it won them the Spanish Supercup

If goals are a strikers' currency, then Neymar needs to start spending soon.

Just two goals, so far, is a disappointing return. A downward header against Atletico Madrid that would eventually win Barcelona the Spanish Super Cup and a scrambled effort Tuesday against Real Sociedad to open his La Liga account.

The nervousness when Neymar has the time to think about his execution is palpable, his natural instinct slightly off kilter. That has often resulted in either a missed chance or an unnecessary pass to the likes of Lionel Messi.

However, we should remember that we are just six La Liga games into the season, and there will be plenty of time for Neymar to cash in with goals.

5. Positional Awareness

David Ramos/Getty Images

Neymar needs to better understand the movement of his colleagues.

New continent, new city, new club, new style.

Neymar must be afforded a settling-in period, as he gets to grips with the aforementioned.

In general terms, his play has been more than acceptable, but it is worth noting that as a move develops down the left-hand channel, the Brazilian hasn't been on the same wavelength as some of his teammates on occasion.

A move becomes less fluid and more forced.

Barca fans can rest easy, however, because there is more than enough to suggest that it won't take the youngster long to adapt fully to the intelligent movement of his contemporaries.

4. Skills

Never short of a sublime piece of skill or two, Neymar has been sensible in this area, so far, this season.

The step-overs have become commonplace, but never overused, and the youngster has never looked to trivialise the efforts of his opponent by employing unnecessary and over-the-top tactics.

He's shown defenders a quick pair of heels on many occasions, and the delicious back-heel against Sevilla was worth the gate price alone. 

3. Assists

Pedro shows his delight at another Neymar assist. Photo credit: Javier Barbancho/Reuters

He might not have contributed too many goals to his Barcelona CV as yet, but Neymar is certainly going some way towards helping the Blaugrana on an upward curve.

A natural ability to draw players toward him ensures that his colleagues can maximise the space left unattended, and his pinpoint accuracy on the ball has seen the Brazilian conjure up a number of assists already this season.

Three for Lionel Messi and one for Pedro Rodriguez represent a decent return in six La Liga matches.

2. Work Rate

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 14: Neymar (C) of FC Barcelona shoots towards goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on September 14, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Johan Cruyff is never short of an opinion or two, but in an interview with Globoesporte (h/t S W Lim of Goal.com), the Dutchman seems to have got it wrong for a change.

"

I never said that Neymar was a bad player. The question is how he fits into the team.

Neymar and Messi are two attacking players, but that means there’ll be one less player doing the defensive work. That could be a problem. 

Barcelona have a style of play in which the players on the wing have to work hard; however, Neymar isn’t a work-horse like Pedro or [Cristian] Tello.

"

Perhaps with those words ringing in his ears, Neymar has set about destroying any pre-conceptions Cruyff and others may have had about him and Gerardo Martino for one is certainly more than happy, per ESPN:

"

... He's working very hard for the team, even when defending.

We're very happy with what he adds to the team. His partnership with Messi is doing well.

This was his second assist [against Sevilla]. Soon we will be fresher and stronger.

"

1. Attitude

David Ramos/Getty Images

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 02: Lionel Messi (L) and his team-amte Neymar of FC Barcelona jokes during the FC Barcelona offcial presentation prior to a friendly match between FC Barcelona and Santos at Nou Camp on August 2, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (Phot

It's fair to say that Neymar came to Barcelona with many expecting his attitude to get the better of him.

A superstar in the Brazilian league, how would he adapt to being just another star in a team of professionals playing at the top level of the European game? He was too big for his boots wasn't he?

Tim Vickery of Sports Illustrated identified an infamous case of "spoilt child syndrome" when the Brazilian threw a tantrum because he wasn't allowed to take a penalty, but, thankfully, such instances are a thing of the past.

Neymar's attitude since he arrived in Catalonia has been spot-on in every sense, and Lionel Messi himself noted as much, via Stefan Coerts, Goal.com:

"

Things are going well with Neymar, he has adapted very quickly and has been received well in the dressing room. He's a great guy and is very humble. 

The thing now is to get to know each other better on the pitch little by little and develop a special connection.

"