Former Spain player Alfonso Perez claims Neymar has made Barca fans forget Messi's absence
Former Spain international Alfonso Perez has claimed that Neymar’s sensational form for the Spanish champions has made fans forget all about star man Lionel Messi’s absence, as per the reports on Marca. Both Neymar and Luis Suarez have filled in the void left by Messi, who is still on the sidelines with a knee injury.
The 23-year-old has raised his game in the absence of the Argentine phenomenon and he is leading the goalscorers chart in La Liga with 10 goals. Neymar has also added six assists to his name in the ten games since Messi was sidelined with a knee injury on September 26 against Las Palmas.
The Uruguay international has also flourished alongside Neymar in the absence of the Barca talisman. Suarez has notched 9 goals in 10 league appearances for the Spanish champions and is just one shy off Neymar in the goalscorers chart.
Two weeks ago, the duo combined to score the ‘goal of the season’ in the side’s 3-0 win over Sevilla at Camp Nou. The former Liverpool striker played the ball from the left flank to teammate Neymar who flicked it over the head of the defender before smashing in a fine volley.
As the countdown to Saturday’s highly-anticipated El-Clasico fixture begins, club legend, Alfonso has expressed his surprise at the level that the Brazil captain has reached during Messi’s absence.
“The injury [to Messi] has shown that Neymar and [Luis] Suarez are able to carry the team on their backs,” Alfonso told in an interview.
“Neymar's making even more of a difference. It seemed that the absence of Messi could undermine Barca, but Neymar, at the level he's shown, has made people forget about Messi.”
Neymar is superior to Messi and Ronaldo: Dunga
Last week, Brazill coach Dunga had Neymar for his scintillating form this season and had claimed that Neymar is ‘superior’ to both Messi and Real Madrid icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
“If we look at the ranking by numbers and statistics, Neymar is superior right now,” Dunga said prior to Brazil's World Cup qualifying match against Argentina.
“Messi is injured, Cristiano is expected to repeat what he did last year.”
The Spanish champions have been handed a major injury boost as Messi could feature in the Clasico fixture at the weekend. The four-time Ballon d’Or winner is recovering from a torn knee ligament, but he officially returned to full training with the squad on Monday.