Neymar's Importance Grows Further Ahead of El Clasico as Barcelona Beat Ajax

When Barcelona signed Neymar in the summer of 2013, his brief was to ease the burden on Lionel Messi.

The Catalans had become overdependent on the Argentine and struggled to make an impact when he was missing.

This was never more evident than in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona were leading through a Messi goal in France when the superstar limped off at half-time. The match ended in a draw.

The same outcome occurred in the second leg at the Camp Nou, but this time they were losing before Messi came off the substitutes bench around the hour mark.

He contributed to the equaliser even though he wasn't fully fit, and as a result his team proceeded to the semi-finals on away goals.

Neymar's arrival was an interesting transfer, as the club clearly had more pressing concerns but opted for a Galactico purchase.

The natural assumption was that the Samba trickster would slow down the quick buildup and at times take too many touches.

He had netted five goals in all competitions for Barca by the end of November 2013, per ESPN FC.

Although there were signs of his ability and communication with Messi, he still had to adapt to a very distinct style.

His conversion to the philosophy was disrupted by injury, and he left an underwhelming feeling, as he made only 19 starts in La Liga.

"I don't know if this is a new version, but I feel more at home, happier, and you see that on the pitch," said Neymar in the press conference before the match with Ajax, via ESPN FC.

That was shown within seven minutes against the Dutch champions, as he curled the ball into the far corner after Messi found him inside the penalty area.

It was his seventh goal in the last five matches and his 10th of the campaign.

"

All this is helping for my level to be better. The coach, the players -- all this, when you put it together, something good comes out. There has been no weight off my shoulders. I do not know what has changed -- maybe the understanding of the team. I am enjoying myself a lot.

"

That enjoyment is evident, as he combined with his team-mates in creating three goalscoring opportunities, and his clever footwork attracted four fouls, via FourFourTwo Stats Zone.

His work rate and movement off the ball is a huge part of this improvement.

Four minutes after he opened the scoring, he dragged Ajax's right-back, Ricardo van Rhijn, out of position, enabling Jordi Alba to exploit the space.

The former Valencia full-back squared it for Messi, and the false nine cleared the crossbar with his effort.

It was Neymar's pressing of three Ajax players that eventually led them to concede possession, as Messi scored the second of the game.

When Luis Enrique withdrew the Brazilian after an hour, it was a symbol of his growing importance.

There had been a great debate in Spain over Messi's apparent reluctance to leave the pitch against Eibar.

"I understand that Leo is making history and, as a fan of his, I feel at his side," explained Neymar in the pre-match press conference.

The attacker had to make way instead of Messi in that match, but he has no hard feelings. "This forms part of football. You cannot always be on the pitch."

Enrique's substitution of Messi just five minutes later was likely pre-planned and also a message to the watching world.

With Luis Suarez set to make his debut for Blaugrana at the Bernabeu, it's vital that their two star strikers are sharp and match-fit.

It will probably take time for the talented trio to work in conjunction with one another, although it will be worth the wait when it reaches fruition.

"The three of us together can do a lot of things," said Neymar. "Leo is the best in the world, and if you add Suarez to that then we can do important things for Barca."