LaLiga: Neymar edges past Bale in race to dethrone the kings of Real Madrid and Barcelona

When Gareth Bale and Neymar arrived on Spanish shores back in 2013 they were signings as much for the present as they were for the future. The Brazilian had long been flirting with a move to Europe after dominating the Brazilian League since his debut. He was wanted by both Barcelona and Real Madrid but chose Catalunya as the place to make his mark much to Florentino Perez’s chagrin.

The next best thing was signing the most talked about player in Europe – outside of LaLiga – and that was Bale. After a stop-start beginning at Spurs he transformed into one of the best wingers in the league and later to an all-out battering ram in attack, almost single-handedly keeping Spurs in the Champions League places.

Four years down the line, how are they doing in their quest to become number one at their respective clubs?

THE TALE OF THE TAPE

Both players struggled with injuries in their first season but posted impressive numbers. Their stats were nowhere near the levels of Messrs Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the current kings, but were still more than respectable. Neymar ended up with 15 goals and 15 assists whereas Bale had 22 goals and 19 assists to his name.

It isn’t easy to find your place in amongst an already established and successful team so it was as much about bedding in at your new surroundings as it was about performing out on the pitch. Both clubs expressed their delight at the form of their two superstar signings. Neymar only picked up the Spanish Super Cup whereas Bale’s individual brilliance in the Copa del Rey final, against Barcelona no less, coupled with a Champions League title meant his influence was felt more than Neymar’s.

In his second season at Barcelona we saw the best of the Brazilian. The self-imposed shackles were removed and his influence on proceedings and his overall play began to improve. Linking up perfectly with new signing Luis Suarez and Messi, he scored more than double what he managed in the first season – ending the campaign with 39 goals in all competitions. He finished joint top scorer in the Champions League with 10 alongside Messi and Cristiano as well.

The flicks, tricks and swagger were there but so was a ruthlessness in front of goal, something he lacked in his first 12 months in Spain. The connection between the front three made a huge difference as they finished with a combined 122 goals across the 2014/15 season on route to winning the treble.

For Bale the second season was a lot tougher. The understanding between the Welshman, Cristiano and Karim Benzema appeared to hit the rocks as frustration at a poor season spilled out onto the pitch and we saw visible moaning and gestures from each party. The media started to question whether Bale was a right fit for the team or if his inclusion caused it to become unbalanced. All rather strange considering without him, they wouldn’t have won either of their titles the previous year.

Earlier this week it emerged that Florentino Perez actually funded a website to post negative articles against the coach at the time, Carlo Ancelotti, whenever he didn’t start Bale. Egos were bruised after a 22-match winning streak came to an end and it felt like a power struggle was emerging in the dressing room with Cristiano wanting the media on his side. Trouble in paradise?

NEYMAR MOVES AHEAD

Last season saw Neymar continue his fine form, picking up his second league and Copa del Rey titles. He was occasionally criticised for his flamboyant style, notably when the result was beyond doubt, but it didn’t get to him and nor should it. Part of the reason everyone fell in love with Brazilian football was because they played with a smile on their face – it’d be a shame to take that away or punish it.

Injuries continued to halt Bale’s rise at Madrid as whenever he found form he seemed to be ruled out for a significant period of time. He scored 11 goals in an 8-game run before missing the next seven through injury. Towards the back end of the season, with Cristiano struggling for form and fitness, he took charge and was influential in how strongly Madrid finished the season domestically. Bale was also important in yet another Champions League triumph, his second in three seasons at the club.

INJURIES MAKE BALE UNRELIABLE

It felt like maybe it was time for Bale to lead the line as Cristiano’s absence wasn’t missed. The only thing stopping him from doing this was his injury record and that remains the case to date. After a decent start he’s since missed 17 matches – in all competitions – with an ankle injury and as such, forfeited any chance he had of dethroning Cristiano this term.

Since returning from that injury he hasn’t quite got back up to speed as quickly as on previous occasions. The media is once again picking holes in his performances and various articles over the past week or so have demanded that Isco be given a chance in the starting XI over Bale. Déjà vu.

As for Neymar, it genuinely feels like we’re seeing the heir to Messi’s throne in a Barcelona shirt. He went nine league matches without scoring at one point, although he did provide five assists in that time, but has arguably come into the best form of his career at Barcelona since then.

NEYMARDEPENDENCIA?

The only game the Catalans have lost in the league since the beginning of October was when he didn’t play [vs Deportivo]. His performances in both legs against PSG showed he wanted to lead this team. Of course his influence in the second leg where he kickstarted that famous comeback will last long in the memory but he was the only one to come out of the disastrous first leg with any real credit.

At the weekend he scored his 100th goal for Barcelona since his move to the club, reaching that marker in 11 games less than it took Messi. Since MSN were formed he’s scored 85 goals, Suarez 115 and Messi 140. They’re a lethal trident and while Messi is being ushered into an attacking midfield role, Neymar continues to cause damage down the left.

The huge plus for Neymar is that Messi doesn’t feel threatened by the improvement of the Brazilian. There’s room for them both and together the team is much better. It isn’t about stepping on each other’s toes but about finding a solution which makes the team even stronger. A unit.

IS BALE NOW REPLACEABLE?

And for Bale that’s one of his main issues. Cristiano signed a new deal just before he got injured and that’s as much due to his own physical issues than anything else. Madrid don’t believe they can depend on the Portuguese star for five years but Bale’s inability to stay fit means he isn’t trusted to take over the reigns.

In Florentino he has a key, important backer and that signifies a lot but he must be more than a little concerned by the fact Real Madrid are looking at Eden Hazard. Of course there exists the very real possibility of Hazard lining up alongside both Bale and Cristiano but it might also the first sign of Perez searching for alternatives.

I don’t think he’s anywhere near the exit door at present but the clamour for Isco to start over him is another negative against his name. Will there come a point where Madrid cut their losses on someone who can’t show the same levels of fitness a 32-year-old Cristiano offers? If someone bid £100m for Bale, would they sell? Last summer I’d have said absolutely not. If it was this summer, maybe.

It’s probably too soon for talk of that but if Hazard comes in and/or Isco signs a new deal then he’ll see the pressure cranked up even more – especially if he picks up another injury before the end of the season.

Neymar looks ready to take over from Messi whereas Bale seems further away than ever from replacing Cristiano.