Comparing Luis Suarez's Start to Life at Barcelona to Neymar's

Luis Suarez's start to life in Barcelona hasn't been too dissimilar to that of his team-mate Neymar.

Just 18 months ago, the Brazilian wunderkind arrived in Catalonia amid a whirlwind of hype, pomp and ceremony. Almost 60,000 supporters packed the Camp Nou to greet him in scenes that were unprecedented at the club.

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If Neymar wasn't aware of the kind of pressure that would be on his shoulders from the get-go, the day he was paraded to the adoring Blaugrana faithful would have left him in no doubt whatsoever as to what might be required from him.

In any event, Barcelona's first introduction to Neymar was fleeting, with the player flown straight back to Brazil to take part in the Confederations Cup. It was a wise move. Brazil won the tournament with Neymar the best player throughout.

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His prowess on the biggest stages were beginning to become the norm, so it wasn't really a surprise to find the pressure gauge a few notches higher on his return to Barcelona.

It's perhaps with that in mind that we didn't really see the best of the player in his first few games.

Inevitably, he was going to be compared to Lionel Messi upon his arrival, and there was an expectation that "Messi-dependence" would be a thing of the past.

However, by this time last year, there really wasn't a comparison between the two players in any way, shape or form.

Ramzi Bensaid, in his detailed summation of the contribution of both players for Bloomberg Sports, noted at roughly this time last year that:

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With five years on Neymar, Messi is hypothetically entering the prime of his career while the 21-year-old is just getting started in European competition.

However, injuries have plagued Messi’s 2013-14 campaign thus far and Neymar has managed almost 400 minutes more on the pitch this season between La Liga and the Champions League, but Messi still has the edge with 14 goals compared to Neymar’s four.

Messi has been significantly better in front of goal in just about every sense; shot accuracy, conversion rate and shots per game. 

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There was a certain reticence in Neymar's initial forays for the Blaugrana. The showboating individual nature of his general play from the Brasileiro had been replaced by a more studious team ethic.

Neymar also struggled with the step up in quality and confidence, and naturally wasn't quite at the level he should have been, given the difficulties he encountered in adapting to a different way of playing.

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Neymar has now scored more goals in his first 10 games for Barca this season (10 goals) in the League, than the whole last season (9 goals)

— BarcaHD (@Barcelona_HD) November 8, 2014"

We often saw miscommunication, particularly with Andres Iniesta in the left-hand channel. Where once Barca's intricate team play was smooth and incisive, Neymar's involvement in a particular move gave their attacks a more staccato feel.

In many respects, learning to deal with not being the kingpin was Neymar's biggest lesson, and once he had overcome that hurdle in the latter parts of the season, and pre-injury, we saw a different player.

Luis Suarez's arrival should have seen the same fanfare as Neymar a year before, but the Uruguayan's ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup saw a much more understated entry.

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It would be the traditional Barca pre-season Gamper Trophy friendly where the locals would get their first glimpse of Suarez in Blaugrana, but a further 10 weeks before he lined up alongside Neymar and Messi in competitive action at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The expectancy level upon Suarez for his debut was even more heightened than Neymar's the year before. 

Suggestions that adding him to the mix would be too much for Real Madrid to handle were unfounded. An assist for the Brazilian in the third minute aside, Suarez's lack of match fitness was soon evident.

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FC Barcelona forward, Luis Suarez, says he is proud to be sharing the Golden Shoe award with Cristiano Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/vrfwrURkHy

— Sports Radio BrilaFM (@889BrilaFM) October 17, 2014"

Coming to Barca on the back of a shared Golden Shoe award, expectancy for him to find the net was constant: 31 goals scored, tying him with Cristiano Ronaldo as the most prolific marksman in Europe, saw to that.

It wouldn't be until the last game of 2014 where Suarez would make his mark in La Liga. A scrappy goal against Cordoba, a team with only one top-flight win in 42 years, is hardly something to shout about from the rooftops, but it does at least get an eight-week monkey off of Suarez's back.

He too has struggled with the reality of having to work to Messi's strengths, curtailing his own natural instincts in the process.

Five assists in seven league appearances, per WhoScored.com, has at least given his role some purpose in the absence of balls in the onion bag.

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It took Luis Suarez 565 minutes to score his first goal in the Liga. It took him 16 min to score his first in Premier League. [via mrchip]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) December 20, 2014"

Frankly, if he continues to be employed out wide on the right by Luis Enrique, then he will stay more as a provider rather than the world-class striker that everyone knows he is.

And that would be a travesty for both player and club.

When played in his more natural central role, as he has been in the Champions League, his movement and appreciation make him much more of a goal threat.

Both Suarez and Barcelona are still getting to know each other. Like all relationships, this will take time to blossom.

Just ask Neymar.