Neymar Finally Proving Transfer Value at Barcelona in Spectacular 2nd Season

When Neymar signed for Barcelona in July 2013, he was seen as a pricey but interesting acquisition who was potentially brilliant.

When the truth about his enormous transfer fee came out, people thought he was far too expensive and, thus far, a disappointment.

But this season the Brazilian is showing the world why Barcelona bought him and why they went as far as they did with his contract to ensure he came to the Camp Nou.

While all the plaudits went to Lionel Messi after Barcelona beat Sevilla 5-1 at the weekend, Neymar played a key understated role in that game. 

As well as putting Barcelona back in front after the Andalusians equalised, he also set up Messi for the goal that broke Telmo Zarra's La Liga goalscoring record and linked almost telepathically with the Argentine on several occasions.

More importantly, he has notched 11 goals in 11 La Liga games, displaying a lethal edge in front of goal that seemed to be missing for much of last season.

There were accusations of Neymar being a show pony as he failed to click with Messi, and Barcelona endured a tough season.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

But Neymar's first year at Barcelona was fraught with worry. He started the season after having his tonsils removed at the behest of Barcelona, per Goal.com.

The spotlight burned down on him. While Gareth Bale was acquired by Real Madrid to be Cristiano Ronaldo's support act, Neymar was there to be Messi's.

Perhaps this was a weight on Neymar's shoulders. If it was, by the time the World Cup came around, he had learned how to bear the burden. The 22-year-old was his country's key man, inspiring his team to reach the semi-finals.

Of course, thanks to a somewhat agricultural challenge by Colombia's Juan Camilo Zuniga, Neymar's participation in the tournament finished at the quarter-final stage.

With Brazil in mourning for their new favourite son, they were given a pasting by the eventual winners, Germany.

While missing the semi-final was a crushing disappointment for Neymar, it would have added another dimension to his character.

Uncredited/Associated Press

Now, as well as gaining confidence from flourishing on the world stage, he was left with something to prove. Barcelona appear to be reaping the benefits this year.

There were added pressures and troubles in his first season in Spain. His Christmas period was heartbreaking; after he scored a brilliant hat-trick against Celtic and then struck twice against Villarreal, disaster struck.

He was given a bizarre yellow card in the latter game, which stopped him from playing in the next match.

Then, after the winter break, he suffered an ankle sprain that kept him out of action for a while. This was frustrating as he had just started to build some momentum.

Another injury towards the end of the season prevented him from trying to help Barcelona in their late, and eventually fruitless, title surge.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

This season, things are different. Luis Suarez's arrival in the summer was the big news, with the Uruguayan's the name on everyone's lips.

With people excited about Suarez and Messi, well, being Messi, Neymar was the forgotten man in Barcelona's striking trio. Except he wouldn't stop scoring.

He came back this season packing five kilograms more muscle, making him tougher and more tenacious in possession of the ball.

Asked about putting on the weight, he said on Esporte Espectacular on Globesporte in Brazil (per Sport):

"

It's not so I can boast, that doesn't interest me. It's so I can be more efficient. What I want is to be the best on the pitch; it doesn't matter if people see me as good looking or not.

"

His newfound physicality might eventually mean he becomes more of a Cristiano Ronaldo than a Messi. 

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

While he has the same sensibility as the Argentine when it comes to beautiful football—just check out his brilliant backheel flick to play in his team-mate during Barca's clash with Sevilla on Saturday—he has shown a tendency to be more direct, like the Portugal star.

Of course, with those two players as reference points and the talent he already possesses, Neymar's star is ascending at a steady rate.

Some already believe he is capable of leading this Barcelona team. If Messi were ever to leave, as crushing a blow as that would be, Neymar is ready to step up and become Barcelona's "protagonista" or main man.