Neymar's New Deal Means He Must Deliver Consistent Brilliance for Barcelona

It was there for all to see against Villarreal in November 2015. Neymar flicked the ball over a defender's head, spun around and volleyed it home. It was one of the goals of the season and the Brazilian's 12th from 14 games. At the time, based purely on form, he was the world's best player.

With Lionel Messi out injured, Neymar grew to fill the gap. While Luis Suarez added goals, the former Santos man did the same but also commandeered Barcelona's creative duties as well, spurring on his side to set the pace at the top of the table.

Until the end of January, Neymar went from strength to strength, continuing to shine even after Messi's return, as his relationship with the Argentinian thrived, likewise their partnership with Suarez.

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The only cloud in the sky was over his contract, with talks dragging on and links to Real Madrid emerging, per Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, although at no moment did it look likely that Neymar would do a Luis Figo and swap La Rambla for the Castellana.

However, with rumours circling, things began to turn bad for him on the field by the end of February. Nothing was paying off for Neymar. The goals had dried up. Dribbles weren't unbalancing opponents the way they used to. He was getting frustrated, with opponents and with himself.

Neymar's drop in form after his third-place finish in the Ballon d'Or was worrying. To some extent the general level Barcelona as a team were playing at dipped, as the players tired, despite Luis Enrique's protestations that the physical statistics were better than before.

But of the players, Neymar's low period seemed more severe than anyone else's. For around 12 months, everything he touched turned to gold, but in the three after that—from March to May in 2016—he seemed able to do little right.

There was even a goal drought of 579 minutes, which eventually ended when he was played in by Suarez during a cathartic 8-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna, as both Neymar and Barcelona rediscovered their scoring touch to set their league campaign back on target.

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Another goal followed, against Sporting Gijon as Barcelona won 6-0, but Neymar was still far below his best. He was missing golden opportunities, but he eventually bagged a penalty after his strike partners let him have it.

He looked like he lacked confidence, passing on occasions where he would previously have shot. Luis Enrique defended him in the press conference after the game.

“He showed character to take the penalty, to keep taking people on [and] to press opponents when we lose the ball. That is why he is a top player. Others end up participating less in the game," explained the Asturian coach.

“The fans were singing his name, which strengthens the player when he needs it.”

And he definitely needed it. Neymar is still young, but with a big wage comes great responsibility. Eventually he put pen to paper on a new deal with Barcelona, which means the onus will be on him to perform consistently at a brilliant level this season and beyond. If that means he has to slow down off the field then that is an unfortunate side-effect he will have to learn to cope with.

Maybe it means less trips to his homeland, less nights out, less commitments away from training and playing. Then again, unless it concerns dealing with the media, Luis Enrique is a reasonable man. If things are going well and Neymar is thriving, it would be no surprise to see the coach make some concessions for him. They may even be written into his new contract.

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The player himself seems to be determined to continue with his partying, at least that's what he said on Tuesday. Currently in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the Olympic Games, Neymar spoke out in his own defence, per Joaquim Piera of Sport:

"

The people have to focus on what happens on the pitch, not on what I do in my personal life.

...

I am 24-years-old and I have won what I have won. I am a calm person. People can criticise me for what happens on the pitch. I like to go out and enjoy myself. Why can I not go and party? I go out because I know what my duties are the next day, and when I play, I always give my all.

....

I am not perfect. It is clear that sometimes I make mistakes, but that is normal. Imagine being 24-years-old and having achieved everything that I have. What would you do?" 

"

However, even though he has a legitimate point that he should be allowed to do anything he likes in his private time as long as it doesn't jeopardise his commitments with his club, his new deal means there will be an expectation of more professional behaviour.

The shadow of Ronaldinho looms over him, a talented Brazilian whose rich tastes eventually overwhelmed his desire to play for Barcelona at his highest level.

Per ESPN, the agreement Neymar reached with Barcelona this summer will see him tied to the club for five more years, and he will pick up around €15 million a season. That would be enough to make him the third-best player in the world, behind Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a wage befitting his status as the third best if the Ballon d’Or is anything to judge by.

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While there have been several changes at Barcelona this summer, with defenders Dani Alves and Marc Bartra leaving, while a burst of youth has rejuvenated the squad in the form of Andre Gomes, Lucas Digne, Samuel Umtiti and Denis Suarez, it is business as usual up front.

The MSN attack is still the best forward line in the world, and it will be expected to perform as such this season. With his new contract settled, Neymar must now start the season at a much better level than the way he left it.

He will benefit from missing the Copa America Centenario and only playing in the Olympic Games, which will function as a pre-season of sorts for him, at least theoretically. It may be that he returns in a state that Luis Enrique is not pleased with.

That would open a door for Denis Suarez to play in Neymar's position on the left of the attack. Although it's hard to see him keeping Neymar out of the team, however well he plays, the competition should be good for both parties.

Neymar has improved in each season with Barcelona so far, with only the bad spell at the end of 2015-16 causing concern. It is imperative that when he returns from the Olympics he can recapture his finest form and continue to push on.

His potential has no ceiling; becoming as good as he can be is just a question of effort, application and a dash of luck regarding fitness and injury.

Quotes taken firsthand unless otherwise specified.