Neymar finished 2016 with a tally of only 29 goals, including his efforts for Barcelona and Brazil, at the Olympics.

A poor tally for a player who in 2015 scored 46 goals, 17 more than this year. It’s his worst figure since 2009, his first year as an elite player, when he was 17 at Santos.

Neymar scored 15 goals then, reasonable enough for a teenager making his way in the football world. Then in 2010 he hit 44 goals. He has never gone below 30 goals since, until 2016.

Neymar netted 37 per cent less than last season. He ended the year in his poorest goalscoring form, with two months and 10 days since e last scored in an official game, against Man City in the Champions League. Barcelona won that game 4-0 and he finished the scoring.

The numbers

2016 29 goles

2015 46 goles

2014 35 goles

2013 37 goles

2012 56 goles

2011 40 goles

2010 44 goles

2009 15 goles

However, this contrasts with his growth as a creator, with the Brazilian on seven assists, leading the Champions League chart for that. He also has seven in La Liga, drawing with Toni Kroos and Pablo Piatti at the top.