Dani Alves Hails 'Startling' Neymar, Talks Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Barcelona

Barcelona right-back Dani Alves has heaped praise on in-form teammate and countryman Neymar, labelling his development as “startling.”

The striker arrived at the Camp Nou in 2013 aged just 21, yet despite his tender years, he still had a massive reputation to uphold.

Now, though, Alves believes Neymar has taken his game and name to another level, with the ability to go even further—per Sport:

“His evolution has been startling. He’ll turn into the player he wants to be because he’s got all of the ingredients to do so. He’s an amazing player, and if he fits in well with the other great players in the team then everything will work out well for us."

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Neymar has scored 14 La Liga goals this season—per WhoScored.com—and came into his own in the absence of the injured Lionel Messi over recent months.

However, Messi’s return to action hasn’t dampened the brilliance of the Brazilian, who netted a brace in Saturday’s 4-0 demolition of Real Sociedad before setting up a goal for Barca’s star man late on.

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The third of Barcelona’s up front amigos, Luis Suarez, also got his name on the scoresheet against Sociedad, and Alves said the trio—branded MSN—only have one thing on their mind when they take to the field: scoring goals:

“Between them, they’re always looking to score; the objective is to make sure everyone’s happy. The three of them look to score right up until the final whistle and [against La Real], they all scored—the fans enjoyed it."

Messi, Suarez and Neymar certainly kept the Camp Nou fans happy on Saturday, but their scoring spree is hardly a shock to the system.

In fact, they’ve netted 125 goals between them in the calendar year—per Champions League:

How many goals that will rise to before the year is out is anyone’s guess, but based on MSN’s recent form, 150 isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

Suarez is proving lethal in front of goal, Messi is being, well, Messi and Neymar is finally becoming the player he's always promised he would be…and then some.