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Neymar scores incredible spinning goal in Barcelona win over Villarreal

joe lago

As unfortunate as Lionel Messi's knee injury was for Barcelona, it provided Neymar the chance to give the club a glimpse of what life might be like without Messi by providing him the proper platform to really showcase his skills as Barca's main man.

[Slideshow: Neymar leads Barcelona to 3-0 win over Villarreal]

After a tepid start that included a 2-1 La Liga loss at Sevilla, Neymar began to settle into his new lead role. He broke out with a four-goal explosion in a 5-2 league win over Rayo Vallecano, assisted on both goals in a 2-0 Champions League victory at BATE Borisov and picked up two more assists in a 3-1 La Liga triumph over Eibar.

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His second-half goal at Getafe last weekend helped secure all three points in a 2-0 win. Then last Wednesday, he made more headlines with two goals and an assist in a 3-0 Champions League victory over BATE at the Camp Nou.

Neymar's impressive run of form continued on Sunday in a 3-0 La Liga win over Villarreal, the highlight being this moment of individual brilliance that has to be seen to be believed.

Neymar's out-of-this-world flick over the defender, spin and strike in the 85th minute was the final stroke on another masterpiece of a performance that is becoming surprisingly easy for the 23-year-old while Messi recovers from a torn knee ligament. Barcelona will need Neymar to maintain his immense presence as it appears that Messi won't be rushed back for the Nov. 21 El Clasico against rival Real Madrid.

Another star performance in the spotlight of that grand stage, arguably the biggest in world soccer as far as domestic fixtures go, would answer the question in full of whether Neymar is capable of being the leading man for one of the planet's biggest clubs. The next question is where he will begin to create that legacy, with talk of a move to Manchester United still percolating.

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remain as the game's top two players, but, more than ever, it's clear who stands right behind them at No. 3. It's Neymar and Sunday's golazo was just the latest example of why, with his own unique skillset, he is the heir apparent for the throne of world's best footballer.