Neymar's Barcelona Performances Give More Credence to Ballon d'Or Nomination

Barcelona are always afforded the most hostile of welcomes at the Mestalla, and Valencia's passionate followers outdid themselves on this occasion, expectations no doubt heightened by Gary Neville's arrival as manager.

The ex-Manchester United man was an interested observer, preferring to take absolute charge of the side after the visit of Catalans.

For a team beset by injuries, the hosts gave a reasonable account of themselves. But far too often, especially down their right, Barca's left, they were exposed.

Neymar is playing with all of the confidence that a Ballon d'Or nominee should be. Indeed, to suggest the Brazilian might even pip Lionel Messi to the gong is a school of thought not without foundation.

Per Tauan Ambrosio and Gabriel Pazini of Goal, Wendell Lira, a Puskas Award nominee, is just one of a number of people involved within the game who feel Neymar would be a worthy recipient given the way the youngster stepped up to the plate in Messi's absence.

Prior to Barca's visit to the Mestalla, the Brazilian had scored 13 goals, assisted eight more and received seven man-of-the-match awards in his last 10 appearances, per WhoScored.com.

His diligence, touch, vision and application were exemplary once again, never better than in the 25th minute, when he didn't need asking twice by Valencia defender Ruben Vezo to go outside. Or the stunning, slaloming second-half run that deserved a goal.

"

NEYMAR.. TOO GOOD pic.twitter.com/DtyIGUU6M8

— Messi Stats (@MESSlSTATS) December 5, 2015"

It was a shame Messi was unable to take advantage on the former occasion.

Along with the Argentinian and Luis Suarez, Neymar has become, for all intents and purposes, undroppable.

Not because of the name or the politics of the transfer fee, either.

His evolving partnerships with Andres Iniesta and Jordi Alba are a joy to watch, and the combinations between that particular trio caused Valencia problems throughout their encounter.

However, it is a continuing maturity to his game that is the single most noticeable difference.

There are no more histrionics because there's simply no need for them. They've been replaced by a single-minded desire to show for the ball, beat his marker and at least create a goalscoring chance as the bare minimum.

He remains omnipresent in every game he plays and as if to labour the point, the Barca Numeros Twitter account noted Neymar has already successfully completed more dribbles in 13 Liga games this season than Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo did throughout the entirety of 2014/15.

Perhaps the one worry for Luis Enrique is the importance of the player for country as well as club.

As captain of Brazil, Neymar remains the standard-bearer, and as such there is simply no chance for him to have some much-needed downtime.

Andre Penner/Associated Press

Long-haul flights, obligations to sponsors and the huge burden of responsibility that all come with being the man could all eventually take their toll on a player we could easily forget is still only 23 years of age.

However, if the club don't get their finger out, it might not even be Enrique's worry in any event.

Sky Sports reported Neymar's recent words after the win against Real Sociedad:

"

I still have some years left on my contract and my father has already spoken about my future.

It's true that my father said that the tax issues are a problem, but we're talking all that over. I'm still under contract and of course I intend to sign a new one.

"

An intention to sign is all well and good, but an actual signature is still not forthcoming.

Shaun Custis of the Sun has already reported on Manchester United's unflinching desire to have Neymar become the global face of the club in a deal worth an eye-watering £240 million. With tax issues a problem, the deal could well happen.

What's clear to anyone with more than a passing interest in the beautiful game is if Neymar isn't to win the world's best player accolade this season, it won't be too long in arriving on his mantelpiece.

And Barcelona need to make sure he's still their player when that happens.