Neymar scored two goals during Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Villareal Sunday. He also changed the lives of anyone watching who hadn’t understood what it means to watch a truly great Brazilian goal; his second goal on the day was absurd, absolutely absurd, the kind of thing that makes people tell themselves, “OK, I need to get whatever channel shows Barcelona matches so I can watch as much of this as possible.”
After the game, Neymar was asked if he planned to score such an audacious goal, to which he responded, “"Yes, yes, I had thought of that move before. And it came off for me well."
Neymar, just another Brazilian pulling off day dreams on the pitch.
His first goal was pretty good as well.
There was a time when Neymar was thought of as a nice talent with a lot of flair but little substance, that he merely looked good in a weaker Brazilian league. It’s safe to say that those doubts have been put to rest.
Neymar’s outstanding performance against Villareal is a continuation of a fine run of form that has seen him score 10 goals in 8 games since Lionel Messi went down with an injury against Las Palmas on September 26th of this year. He, as well as Luis Suarez (8 goals in 8 games in that same time period), has lead Barcelona to the top of the La Liga table; their 27 points are three more than second place Real Madrid, who suffered their first loss in La Liga on Sunday.
We're so sorry, Costa. Photo: Streamable
Neymar, along with Suarez and Messi, is expected by some to make the final podium for the Ballon d’Or award for 2015. At the age of 23, he has set himself in a class apart from most of the world-class footballers in the world. With goals like the ones above and runs of form like the ones mentioned, it’s not hard to see why.
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