Analysis by Lance has revealed that whilst Lionel Messi and Neymar are the world’s best football partnership, the pair have only played together for a prolonged amount of time on ten occasions out of a possible 31 for Barcelona.
At the time of Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona, Lance conducted a poll which saw 50% vote that the Brazilian and Messi were the best partnership, whilst rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale got just 26%.
But during Neymar’s competitive Barcelona debut, him and the Argentine only played together for seven minutes.
Neymar was introduced in the 64th minute during that 7-0 La Liga win over Levante but Messi exited in the 71st.
Lance discussed how initially the pair did well together during August and September but shortly afterwards the 26-year-old picked up an injury which ruled him out of several matches.
Neymar and Messi combined together in the El Classico though but the Argentine picked up another injury in November, which cost him the final months of 2013.
Now that Neymar has picked up an injury it means the budding partnership between the pair will be put on hold once again.
Individually they have both been excellent this season, Messi scoring 18 times and assisting four goals in 19 appearances.
Whilst Neymar has featured in 26 games for Barcelona, finding the net 11 times and creating ten assists.
And once Neymar returns in February, the hope will be that the pair can play together consistently until the end of the season and then face off in the World Cup. What a prospect that could be.
