In the below extract, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque speaks of his admiration for the 22-year-old.
"I like Neymar. He is one of those players who you do not see very often. He is heir to the Brazilian footballing tradition that was starting to fade.
It is not that common nowadays to see a footballer who is able to take someone on on his own and dribble with flair and nimble footwork. He is an important player because when a team finds itself having to play against an overly defensive team, with too many players behind the ball, he can open things up and sort things out.
Not just that he runs around players and scores goals, but that he creates risky situations for the other team or gets free kicks near the area. He is ambidextrous, he is agoleador, always in the right place, open on the left side; he is able to get out of tricky situations on that side". I am not saying he cannot play in another position but that is his best position. Just like Messi, who started on the wings and then moved to a fake number 9 position. This is the job of the manager: all players can play in different positions, but all players have their ideal position.
Messi vs Neymar
For the time being, it is too soon to be making comparisons. Messi is extraordinary. He has been at the top of the best player tables for the last few years. Since starting at Barcelona almost 10 years ago, he has been consistent and progressive. Every year he has achieved more awards, more records and new titles.
To turn a match around you need a well organised team behind [a player like Messi or Neymar] to be the best and to release their full potential. In that sense, they are quite similar.
We will need time to get to know Neymar, to understand if he can adapt to Barcelona and whether he wants to be joint front-runner with Messi or try and make history. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have done it and I believe they are a good example for world football.
Barcelona buddies |Neymar has not yet reached Messi's level, says Del Bosque
Ronaldo vs Neymar
Cristiano is all power, speed, left-footed and right-footed shots, headers, penalties, free kicks. He is an 'animal'.
He is less creative than Neymar and Messi and is less confident in close-quarter dribbling. He needs room to play. He does not have the repertoire of Neymar, who is lighter, but is still awe-inspiring.
At Manchester United, Ronaldo gained a huge amount of experience and, since joining Madrid, he has always played at the highest level. Neymar is a football artist and Spanish football needs players like this.