Neymar equals Ronaldinho’s Barcelona tally — but which Brazilian superstar was better for Nou Camp giants?

NEYMAR’S goal against Eibar was not just significant because he ended his fourth-month drought from open play.

But it was his 94^th for Barcelona — which brought him level with compatriot and legendary predecessor, Ronaldinho.

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The Brazilian pair have enjoyed similar success at the Nou Camp, with each winning La Liga twice and the Champions League once.

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However, Neymar also has two Copa del Rey titles and one Fifa Club World Cup — while Ronaldinho’s two Spanish Super Cups trumps the current Barcelona No.11 by one.

For two years, the latter gave the world arguably the dazzling displays ever seen in the game, while the former has kept up his incredible levels for four seasons and counting.

But who has been better for the club?

Ronaldinho

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HE MOVED to Barcelona from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003 ahead of Manchester United following an impressive showing at the World Cup 12 months earlier.

At that time, the Catalans were not the force they are today.

A sixth-place finish meant qualification to the Uefa Cup — which came to an end following defeat at Celtic.

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Barcelona were dwindling until Ronaldinho almost single-handedly dragged the club to second place.

His performances saw him crowned the 2004 Fifa World Player of the Year.

That summer, they brought in Samuel Eto’o, Deco and Ludovic Giuly, but the Brazilian was still the main star.

He propelled the club to another level as they won a first La Liga title in six years — and only an epic defeat against Chelsea cost them in the Champions League.

With Ronaldinho scoring a sublime goal as his side lost 4-2 at Stamford Bridge.

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Empics

He retained his World Player of the Year title and added a Ballon d’Or.

A year later, they won the title by 12 points and Barcelona were crowned champions of Europe for only the second time.

However, it was after this that Ronaldinho’s party lifestyle began to seriously hamper his game.

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He was a shadow of himself at that summer’s World Cup and was often absent from training over the next two seasons.

Though he still produced the odd moment of magic such as the sensational overhead kick against Villarreal.

When Pep Guardiola replaced Frank Rijkaard in 2008, he sanctioned a deal to sell Ronaldinho to AC Milan.

While it did not end as well as he had hoped, it’s  worth comparing where the club were when he arrived and the level they were at when he left.

Neymar

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JOINED a side still reeling from the loss of Guardiola as manager a year.

Neymar initially struggled and was even booed by the fans.

He  looked be going the way of many of his superstar predecessors who struggled to deal with partnering Lionel Messi in attack.

But,  in 2014, Luis Suarez replaced Alexis Sanchez and MSN was born.

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The trio formed arguably the greatest strike-force in football history, with Neymar a huge part of it.

That season, he scored 39 goals in all competitions as Barcelona became the first side in history to win the league, domestic cup and Champions League all in the same season for the second time.

And his form only improved a year later, when he scored 24 league goals and 31 overall.

Neymar finished third in thatyears Ballon d’Or standings — and needs to be respected considering the era in which he was competing.

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Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were all but guaranteed the top two spots, and third place was the best of the rest.

This campaign has been more a struggle, but following a season in which Barca fought on two fronts right the way through, Neymar then competed for Brazil at the Olympics.

He is likely to be suffering from fatigue and it’s worth pointing out he reached his tally for the club in 43 appearances quicker than Ronaldinho.