After a 2018 FIFA World Cup that fell well short of expectations, the world-record transfer holder was under severe pressure to remind Europe of his unique talents.
As the player widely considered as the third best, behind five-time Ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - the Brazilian's move to Ligue 1 has not gone quite to plan.
Being overlooked for all the individual accolades and the World 11 side, Neymar has started the 2018/19 season in supreme form.
And his brilliant hat-trick against Red Star Belgrade last night took him up to 30 goals in the Champions League.
That draws him level with Kaka’s record of 30 goals scored by a Brazilian in Europe’s top club competition.
— UEFAChampionsLeague (@LigaChampionsID) October 4, 2018
Overall, the 26-year-old has scored 10 goals and registered three assists in 10 games across all competitions this season.