The second best player in the world is at Barcelona too

After this cursed international break, the fault of the national teams, is over, true football returns. And Barcelona take on their impossible dream: the treble. Impossible or not. Because for this team nothing is impossible, even though the footballing level at present is far, far less than desired. Only in a few moments this season have Barcelona been at their best. Not even the night of the PSG comeback did they play brilliantly. They delivered, they had persistence, courage and were epic, extremely epic, but little football. Basically they had Neymar, the player most in form in the team. Including Messi. But Messi, as Messi does, is capable of not playing that well and scoring two goals. It’s what it is to be a genius.

Barcelona have 16 games to go to be champions of everything. Or not nothing. 10 in La Liga, where they need a slip up from Madrid. The final of the Copa del Rey, against Alaves. And, I hope, five in the Champions League. The future of Barcelona depends on the treble. And Messi. Everything at Barcelona depends on Messi. But it will depend too, on Neymar, who this season has become the second best player in the world. The Brazilian, exceptional since January, is the player who can unbalance opposition best in the side. Unstoppable one on one, he has held the team up at various key moments. Like against PSG. Without him the comeback would have been impossible. And what happened at the Riazor, four days later, without the Brazilian, shows his importance. For this he has to come back safe and sound from his commitments with Brazil. We need him, more than ever.