Neymar Contract Would Be Great News for Barcelona and a Hammer Blow for Rivals

The report that Neymar has signed a new contract at Barcelona, tying him to the club until 2021, will have been music to the ears of Blaugrana supporters everywhere.

And a dagger to the heart of potential suitors that included Real Madrid and Manchester United.

According to ESPN Brazil (via ESPN FC):

"

Neymar has signed a new five-year deal with Barcelona that will make him the second-highest-paid player on the team behind Lionel Messi. 

[...] The new contract was signed in December when Barcelona were in Japan for the Club World Cup, but any announcement was held up because of issues surrounding the Brazilian's recent tax cases with Spanish and Brazilian authorities.

"

The player's father and agent has since denied such an agreement exists in an interview with Spanish newspaper Ara (h/t Goal.com). Neymar Sr. did add, however, that his son was "very happy" at Barcelona and sounded optimistic that a contract would be agreed in the summer.

After a low-key start to his Barca career, Neymar has become one of the most dependable players in the side along with Messi.

Indeed, that particular partnership began to flourish before Luis Suarez was added to the mix to give the Catalans the most devastating front line in their history.

Such has been the young Brazilian's rise to prominence that genuine questions were being asked at the turn of the year as to whether Neymar should usurp Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or award.

OLIVIER MORIN/Getty Images

His emergence has allowed Messi in particular to revel in an even deeper role than usual.

Should a particular move require it, it's not uncommon now to see the Argentinian ambling around near the halfway line looking for the killer ball over the top to his attacking colleagues.

Furthermore, his link-up play with Luis Suarez has been a joy to behold. Just look at the speed and accuracy with which Neymar turned defence into attack against Arsenal, allowing Messi to apply the coup-de-grace.

The extension of his current deal, which was due to expire in 2018, would give the club some stability in that area of the pitch, after months of will-he-won't-he-type maneuverings pertaining to a signature on a new contract.

Given the latest quotes from Neymar Sr., however, it would appear that the end game of a new contract at Barca was never in doubt in any event.

Football, as most people would accept, is a confidence game, and, when a player is happy and comfortable with his lot, that feeling of confidence is amplified to a degree.

Watching Neymar each week for Barca, oozing with self-assurance and verve, it's clear to see that he feels right at home at the club. What reason is there to throw all that away? It's not as if the player needs extra salary or incentives.

Tax issues that have appeared to hinder the signing of the contract until recently wouldn't be a problem outside Spain, and it's fairly easy to understand that this would be attractive during any contract re-negotiations.

JAIME REINA/Getty Images

But nowhere else in world football currently will Neymar be able to play alongside such complementary footballers. People for whom he has built a real and genuine friendship.

As Barca go looking to make history again this season by becoming the only team in football history to win back-to-back trebles and the first to retain the Champions League in it's modern format, Neymar continues to play the biggest part.

Still someway short of his peak as a football player, Barca's increasing fanbase will surely have the opportunity to see him at his best.

And that's a frightening prospect for any opposition team.