Neymar’s second Barcelona season will be easier, says former player

Goal columnist and former Spain international Gaizka Mendieta says he anticipates a smoother ride for Barcelona star Neymar in his second season for the Catalan side, having moved from Santos around this time last summer. Neymar, 22, has come in for a certain level of criticism for his first term at the Camp Nou, despite […]
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sambafoot_admin
2014-07-30 09:59:00

Goal columnist and former Spain international Gaizka Mendieta says he anticipates a smoother ride for Barcelona star Neymar in his second season for the Catalan side, having moved from Santos around this time last summer.

Neymar, 22, has come in for a certain level of criticism for his first term at the Camp Nou, despite performing admirably for the most part.

And Mendieta, who played 40 times for Spain, wrote: “I don’t think Barcelona played to Neymar’s strengths last season and that’s because they’ve got Messi.”

“When a team has a focal point, likeNeymar for Brazil and messi for Barcelona and Argentina, other players suffer because they receive fewer balls.”

“But don’t forget, this was Neymar’s first season at the Nou Camp and he will only get stronger as he forges partnerships with those around him.”

One such partnership could emerge with Uruguayan Luis Suarez, who joined Neymar at Barca this summer from Liverpool for around £75 million.