Towards the end of last season, Neymar was visibly tired. The Barcelona winger hadn't stopped since the beginning of the 2013/14 season and it was starting to show.
He became a shadow of the player that, with Luis Suarez, had dragged Barca through a tough period of fixtures without Lionel Messi and somehow made them look like they could be better without him.
Of course that wasn't the case, Messi is an integral part of the Blaugrana side, but it showed glimpses of what the former-Santos man was capable of at his best.
Advert
Even after a poor end to the season that would prove to be his best so far, the Brazilian was still expected to represent his country at the Copa America Centenario in the United States and the Rio Olympics just a few weeks later, before returning to club football almost immediately in Catalunya.
Thankfully, discussions between his club and his national team meant that he would only have to feature in one of the two major international competitions; giving himself 3 months between his last fixture for Barcelona and his first for the national side.
Neymar was able to enjoy himself for a change. He was without the pressure of his country on his shoulders prior to a major tournament and also without the subsequent disappointment of failing internationally that has plagued him for the past couple of years weighing on his mind for months before the season.
Advert
It was the perfect recipe for someone that is essentially, at his core, no more than a confidence player. The Brazilian has an incessant need to prove himself to his doubters, a need that has been insatiable since he joined Barcelona for a reported €57.1 million fee in the summer of 2013.
Joey Barton's comparison between Neymar and Justin Bieber, being good on YouTube and 'cat piss' in reality, has since come back to bite him; but it's an indication of the less than encouraging opinions he's had to overcome since his move to La Liga.
Something else he's had to overcome since joining the Catalan club is constant transfer speculation; whether it be regarding his arrival from Santos or his next destination.
Advert
It's taken three years for the controversy surrounding the transfer fee paid by Barcelona (and who it was paid to) to be resolved, but it's finally over with. Neymar can finally concentrate on his season without the distraction of ongoing legal battles involving both his current club, his boyhood team and his father.
The ongoing to-and-fro regarding the specifics of his transfer have no doubt had a negative effect on a man who quite clearly just wants to concentrate on his football, work as hard as he can and win as much as possible.
The constant transfer speculation regarding his future can't have helped either. Every day it seemed there was a new rumour about his destination after Barcelona and the incessant media scrutiny he is frequently under can't have helped his focus towards the close of the season.
He's now signed a deal to keep him at the Nou Camp until June 2021, meaning he can focus his mind on his performances on the pitch.
Advert
As well as this; the introduction of Arda Turan on the left-wing in Neymar's absence will provide much needed competition for the Brazilian to stay on his toes.
In the first few games of the season an understanding has developed between Arda, Messi and Suarez; meaning that whilst Neymar's place in the side is under no immediate threat, there is back-up this season if he begins to perform below par.
Simultaneously, this could also be a blessing for Ney's fitness. The ability to rotate the squad this season, which was near-impossible last season, means that there will be no burning out of the best players. Games at home to the likes of Granada and Leganes won't necessarily require the involvement of the entirety of MSN, especially those before Champions League matches, as is the case when Barcelona host the former before travelling to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola's City.
Winning Gold at the Olympics over the Summer is also a major indicator that Neymar is likely to produce his best season in a Barcelona shirt. Finally bringing glory to his homeland, with the expectation of a nation firmly lodged on his shoulders, was a liberation for the Brazilian.
Advert
The tears of joy he shed in celebration after scoring the winning penalty in the final was symbolic of the pressure he faced to deliver glory to his country after two consecutive years of international failure.
The victory meant that he felt he could relinquish himself of the pressures of being Captain, and finally begin to enjoy his football again. This, in tandem with Dunga's sacking, means Neymar is free to express himself for the famous Verde-Amarela.
It seems to be having an impact already too, judging from his recent international performances. In scoring two goals and picking up two assists in stand-out performances against Ecuador and Columbia, Ney has stood himself in good stead ahead of his long awaited return to Catalunya.
Luis Enrique's decision to allow him to miss the beginning of the season, when Barca were under no real pressure of being beaten, in favour of remaining in Brazil until after the recent round of international fixtures will have done a world of good too.
Not returning to link up with his club-mates after the Olympics has saved the 24 year-old around 10,000 miles of travelling to-and-fro between Rio and Barcelona, giving him time to rest and bask in Gold glory before returning to the club fitter than ever and ready to start against Alaves on Sunday.
The only question left to answer for Neymar is what is his limit? Where does his ceiling end? Can he really compete with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
Now he's 24 years-old, he isn't an 'emerging talent' anymore. He's a global icon and he has to put in the performances to prove that he deserves that status. With everything he needs and more to compete with the top two, it's now the time for him to prove that he deserves to be spoken about in the same breath as his idols.
He's already proved that he can shine in the absence of Messi, but he's the future of FC Barcelona and now is the season to show he's the man that Cules can put their faith in to lead the next generation to further glory.
Having finally recovered that tradition and the freedom of expression he had when he first burst on to the scene, expect Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior like you've never seen him before.
Words By: @joshuapsjones
Featured Image Credit: