The five best games of Neymar’s career thus far

2. Barcelona vs Real Madrid – La Liga 2015-16, Matchday 12

Ever since he first stepped onto the pitch at Camp Nou, Neymar was tabbed to be Lionel Messi’s future replacement. He was supposed to take over the helm whenever Messi would leave the club — a thought many are still fixed on even after Neymar’s departure in 2017. The plan relied on Neymar being the face of the team and leading them into a new era when the time came.

However, there was some skepticism on whether Neymar was up for such a hefty responsibility. Could he emulate Messi’s play style and production without his presence on the pitch? But like he had done countless times before, Neymar shut down any doubt with his on-field play.

During the first half of the 2015-16 La Liga campaign, Messi missed a combined eight league and Champions League fixtures because of a ligament knee injury. Over those games, Neymar led Barca to seven wins and contributed to 16 goals with 10 goals and six assists. But his golden opportunity came in an away duel against rivals Real Madrid — a fixture Messi was slated to return for but not start.

Neymar took matters into his own with a prolific performance that included a goal, an assist and a trio of big chances created in a 4-0 win. Out on the wing, he made it a habit of flying down the flanks with unmatched pace and accelerating speed — a matchup that overwhelmed right-back Danilo. What earned him high praise was how well he eased into playing Messi’s role as a false winger, which calls for the wide player to drop into pockets of space in the center to receive the ball and lead build-up sequences.

The performance exemplified just how well Neymar can put a team on his shoulders and lead them to victory against the best Europe has to offer.