Neymar's top 11 most memorable performances

The very embodiment of Joga Bonito.

Neymar is arguably one of the if not most talented players in the history of football. The Brazilian top scorer has often received a lot of hate because of his injury record and other activities not related to football. However, when it comes to football he has always proved himself.

With a staggering 627 goals and assists for both club and country in his career, he has had many memorable and iconic performances. Let’s take a look at some of those performances.

11. Neymar vs Manchester City (2014/15)

The Brazilian finally found his top form in Barcelona in the 2014/15 season. FC Barcelona won the UEFA Champions League in style with Messi, Suarez and Neymar at their very best. Neymar racked up 39 goals and 11 assists in 51 performances for FC Barcelona throughout all competitions in that season.

He did not score a goal or register an assist against Manchester City in both legs. However, his performance was remarkable and shook many City players, especially in the Camp Nou fixture. The Brazilian had dribbled past Bacary Sagna and various other Manchester City players on numerous occasions quite easily. He made it to the penalty box and conjured up a few goalscoring chances as well which were eventually denied because of Joe Hart’s heroics. Overall, a great performance which kept the momentum going for FC Barcelona.

10. Neymar vs Penarol (2011 Copa Libertadores final)

After Pelé’s era at Santos, there was no worthy heir to replace his throne until Neymar showed up. Neymar Jr became the “King Of Santos” after this final against Uruguayan team Penarol back in 2011. Santos FC had not won the Copa Libertadores since 1963. Neymar despite being just 19 years old shone.

He scored a goal in the very first minute against Penarol and eventually ended the tournament as Santos’s third-youngest scorer in the tournament. He was even the second-top scorer in the tournament with six goals. His performances at Santos including this much-needed victory led to him being the new King of Santos.

9. Neymar vs Manchester United (UCL 2021)

In the first fixture, Neymar struggled a lot against Manchester United in the 2020/21 UCL group stage. Overall, PSG did not do well against United but Neymar turned the tables at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture. The French side beat Manchester United 3-1 courtesy of two goals from Neymar which put United in a very difficult position in the UCL.

In that match, he dribbled past three players from his own half and quickly transitioned the play into a goalscoring opportunity, which he eventually scored. He scored another goal against Manchester at Old Trafford to cap off yet another remarkable UCL performance.

8. Neymar vs Atalanta (UCL 2020/21)

The Brazilian set a new record of most take-ons completed in a single UCL match against Atalanta in the 2020/21 season. During the COVID season, UCL matches were switched to single-legged ties. Atalanta were leading the fixture against PSG but Neymar was relentless.

He was also fouled nine times since the Atalanta defenders just could not stop him. Despite not scoring or assisting, the former Barcelona player threaded the main pass which led to a late goal against Atalanta.

7. Neymar vs Bayern Munich (UCL 2021/22)

Months after Bayern Munich beat PSG in the 2020/21 UCL final, Neymar was set to take revenge against them this time.

PSG were set to face Bayern Munich in the 2021/22 quarter-finals of the UCL. PSG won the first leg 3-2 with Neymar’s beautiful assist which was the highlight of the match. However, his second-leg performance is the most spoken about despite not scoring a goal or assisting.

The Brazilian did hit the crossbar twice. He not only dribbled past but humiliated several Bayern Munich players in the second leg. Eventually, his second-leg performance is regarded as one of the best performances without scoring a goal or assisting.

6. Neymar vs Villarreal (LaLiga 2015/16 )

During a period when Messi was injured, Neymar took his place alongside Luis Suarez and performed consistently for FC Barcelona.

Neymar scored a gem of a goal against Villarreal in the 2015/16 LaLiga season. Luis Suarez chipped the ball into his path who still had a lot to do. The Brazilian controlled it with his chest, did a sombrero flick over the defender and smashed the volley the first time against Villarreal. This goal is considered as one of Neymar’s best goals from his time at FC Barcelona.

5. Neymar vs Real Madrid (LaLiga 2015/16)

Yet another top performance from him especially during Messi’s absence in the 2015/16 season. FC Barcelona won the El Clasico 4-0 and eventually won the 2015/16 season with a one-point lead.

He scored a goal assisted by Andres Iniesta and then assisted Iniesta’s goal just two minutes later to make the score 3-0. Overall besides his goal and assist, the former Santos winger ran the game creating many chances and kept being a constant attacking threat to Real Madrid.

4. Neymar vs Flamengo (2011)

In an enthralling 4-5 defeat for Neymar’s Santos against Ronaldinho’s Flamengo in 2011, Neymar scored one of the best goals of his career.

He almost dribbled past 4-5 players and scored a goal in the 25th minute which eventually won the Puskas award. Overall, he assisted the first goal and later scored two goals.

3. Neymar vs Spain (2013 Confederation Cup)

The pressure was on Neymar as he was at the helm of Brazil‘s team in the 2013 Confederation Cup. He, just like Kaka and Adriano before him, eventually won the Golden Ball at the end of the tournament.

In the finals against mighty Spain, the match was in a deadlock until he scored a goal from his weak foot. Eventually, the match ended in a 3-0 victory for Brazil as they beat Spain.

2. Neymar vs Juventus (UCL Final 2015)

It was Neymar’s first UCL final of his career. The 2014/15 season was a remarkable season for him and FC Barcelona. Eventually, Barcelona won the UCL beating Juventus 3-1 in the final. They also won the LaLiga in that season.

He amassed 39 goals and 11 assists overall in all competitions. The Brazilian scored 11 goals in the UEFA Champions League. A beautiful goal in the Champions League final was scored by him against Juventus to cap off the victory.

1. Neymar vs Paris Saint Germain (2016/17 UEFA Champions League)

In the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League season, PSG thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in the Round of 16 at Parc Des Princes. FC Barcelona had a very big task on their hand to pull off a comeback in Camp Nou. FC Barcelona scored an early goal in the second leg but PSG pulled one goal back to take the aggregate to 5-1.

From there the Brazilian super star stepped up and led arguably the best comeback in the history of football. He was unstoppable in that fixture scoring from a penalty, a free-kick goal, winning a penalty and assisting the last-minute winner for Sergi Roberto which ended the match 6-5 for Barcelona.

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