El Clásico used to be a rivalry that existed without a sub-rivalry. Matches between Real Madrid and Barcelona were once more about the teams and the great soccer than a one-on-one battle for the title of best player of a generation.
The first Neymar vs. James edition of El Clásico arrives on Saturday
The Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry will die soon, but Real Madrid and Barcelona can replace them. Long live the Neymar vs. James rivalry.
David Ramos/Getty Images
On Thursday, Andi Thomas wrote that the Clásicos of old were a good thing, and that the narrative of Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi had gotten thoroughly exhausting, even if watching the players themselves, in a vacuum, never gets old. Between Messi's injury and Ronaldo's slow transition from best in the world to regular world class player, this could be the first Clásico since 2009 that's free of "WHO'S BETTER?!?"
Except it’s not, because we’ve now been conditioned to crave individual sub-rivalries, and another one is quickly emerging, because Messi and Ronaldo have not turned in their teams’ best individual performances this season. Those distinctions belong to Neymar and James Rodriguez, who are 23 and 24 years old, respectively. They look more than ready to take over as their teams’ biggest superstars, whether that comes with Messi and Ronaldo taking a backseat or leaving for new challenges.
* * *
Barcelona have played so well since Messi's injury that it has Culés wondering whether Luis Enrique should keep him on the bench this Saturday even if he passes fit. This sounds ridiculous, but Barca are basically the exact same with and without Messi this year.
The most surprising (and impressive) thing about Neymar since his arrival is how willing and able he’s been to be a supporting player. At Santos, he was the superstar, protected from any need to do defensive work and not expected to create for other people. At Barca, he’s Messi’s sidekick, and he’s been excellent in the role. But when Messi’s gone down with injuries, Neymar has been able to flip a switch and instantly become the Santos version of himself, taking over games.
Luis Suarez's adjustment has been almost as important. When the three stars are together, he's the goal-poacher, while Messi is the do-everything superstar and Neymar does the dirty work. With Messi out and Neymar sliding into the Messi role, Suarez has seamlessly slid into the old Neymar role. Their chemistry has produced moments of brilliance like this one against Villarreal.
Credit: user penguin672232 on r/soccer
It’s the goal of the season so far. On a micro level, it features a brilliant assist by Suarez and an even better first touch, clowning of a defender and finish by Neymar. On a macro level, it was the goal that signaled the dawning of a new era for Barcelona. Messi is one of the two best players of his generation, and any team would be better with him in it, but Barcelona don’t need him. With 13 goals and five assists so far this year, Neymar appears to have ascended to the god tier, above the Bale-Müller-Hazard-Agüero-Suarez tier of top-notch human players.
* * *
It’s been a different kind of season for Rodriguez, who’s dealt with a couple of injury problems. He’s only made one start and four substitute appearances. But in that limited time, he’s scored four goals, and one of them was this ridiculous free kick.
In an abysmal performance by Real Madrid's central midfield and defense against Sevilla in their last La Liga game, James was one of the lone bright spots. He made his comeback from injury just after the hour mark and did his best to fire Madrid back into the match by beating two defenders, creating a small window for himself and placing a perfect shot into the bottom corner.
The international break is usually awful for club teams, but it couldn’t have come at a better time for Real Madrid this time around. Instead of working his way back to fitness with an ill-timed Clásico, James got to do it in two games for Colombia. Any rust he had on him (though, on the evidence of that goal, there wasn’t much) has likely been scraped away, and he’ll be ready for whatever role Rafa Benitez wants to use him for on Saturday.
This edition of El Clásico might mark the beginning of the end of the Messi vs. Ronaldo era, but it won’t be the end of a rivalry between two stars that will spark debates between fans over who’s the best player of their generation. It’ll continue on and on, for another six or seven years, just with James vs. Neymar.
Even if the narrative wears you out, it shouldn’t temper your enjoyment of the soccer. Real Madrid and Barcelona have young stars that are ready to pick up where Ronaldo and Messi eventually leave off, and they should get their chance to shine on Saturday.
* * *
SB Nation presents: Neymar has a real claim as the world’s best player
See More:
