What will Neymar, Barcelona's golden signing, bring to the club this season?
Two weeks without Neymar would be a lot for any team. But not for Barcelona, who have managed to stay more than competitive thanks to their squad loaded with talent.
Barcelona have had good news in the first two weeks of the season - the level of Messi, Sergi Roberto thriving - along with others like the explosion of Arda, and the rapid adaptation of Samuel Umtiti and other new starts.
And yet, however well the team has played, the impact of Neymar and his formidable chemistry with Suarez and Messi will add something else. The Brazilian enters his fourth season with Barcelona in a sweet moment. Without the judicial noise around his initial transfer and enjoying a new beginning with Brazil after Dunga's departure.
Neymar starts the season with a new look. A wink towards Messi perhaps, with blond hair. After Brazil face Colombia on Tuesday, Neymar will be back.
Ready for action
His presence at the Olympic Games may mean he arrives at a level higher than his team-mates, as shown in Brazil's recent games.
That might mean he comes straight in against Alaves on Saturday. Even more so because Messi may not be able to feature because of his groin pain. The Brazilian is all revved up and ready to go.
Increased competition
Arda Turan took advantage of Neymar's absence to take a step forward. He showed great understanding with Messi and Suarez in that time, with an electricity that seemed lost last season.
There is also the signing of Paco Alcacer, although Neymar will be a fixture in the side. The doubt is whether the forward line will now enter in Luis Enrique's rotations, whereas previously it was fixed.
Lucho's wink
The coach allowed the Brazilian to stay in his country after the Games, to avoid a long haul flight back, and then another one to Brazil again shortly after. Something that the Brazilian appreciated. It was a sensible measure by Luis Enrique. Win over the player in a moment where the team was not in urgent need of him.
The coach was able to fit Arda in down the left, and sometimes even turn the side into a 4-4-2, using his spot as a hybrid position.
A season without noise
Neymar takes on the season without distractions. He has renewed his contract and is far from the murmurs about his signing and tax issues. The Neymar case is closed and he can be camp. In Brazil they are enjoying the best Neymar - his game against Ecuador was superb.
The definitive jump
What is Neymar's ceiling? Can he compete with Messi and Cristiano. The Brazilian is at a key point in his career. At 24, he now needs to take a step forward to reach the next level.
Neymar has everything he needs to become a more consistent player and a leader. The past season he showed during Messi's absence that he is ready to be Barcelona's key man in the future. Neymar doesn't hide the fact that off the pitch he likes to enjoy himself, and we will have to see how he combines this home life with his desire to be the best in the world.
Comfortable in his country, good for Barcelona
Winning the Olympic Gold was a liberation for the footballer. His tears of celebration showed the pressure he has gone through - and the criticism - of a whole country.
Neymar showed a good level in the Olympics that he has taken into the World Cup qualifiers. Without Dunga, he is recovering his identity. Tite's arrival has been good for Neymar and he is more comfortable in a group that is trying to recover the tradition and feeling of happiness in its play.
