Neymar the star of Barca's party in Messi's absence

Another party for Neymar. Barcelona's Brazilian forward was the star of the show for all the right reasons as he did his celebrating on the pitch and put four goals past Rayo Vallecano on Saturday evening. In the continued absence of Lionel Messi, this was just what the champions needed.

The 23-year-old has endured some trying times over the last few weeks and months. Criticised for some poor performances this term and hit with a tax fraud case as well, the former Santos forward came under fire during the international break as he was pictured partying with celebrities in his homeland.

That was in a period when he had been expected to remain in Barcelona and build up his fitness as he was still suspended and unable to feature in his country's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Venezuela.

Nevertheless, the break looked to have helped and it was a very different Neymar in the game against Rayo. After Barca went behind early on, the Brazilian won and converted two penalties to turn a deficit into a lead. And it could have been more because he was also denied at least one and probably two more spot-kicks when he himself was fouled in the box on both occasions.

Nevertheless, he completed his hat-trick by tapping in a rebound after the break and added a fourth just a minute later with another simple finish. These were not classic goals, but Neymar had earned them in a buzzing and dynamic display from start to finish.

Previously, it had been left to Luis Suarez to step up after injury sidelined Messi late last month. From Neymar, much more had been expected and on Saturday, it was finally - and emphatically - delivered.

"It's not easy to play against a team like Rayo," he said afterwards. "They have some really good players and they play good football. We did our job." And he added: "It was one of my best games for Barcelona."

It was. Every time he had the ball in an attacking position, the Brazilian looked likely to do damage and he was fouled constantly by Rayo's desperate defenders. And when he wasn't hacked, he seemed set to score. In the end, the visitors were lucky to restrict him to only four.

With Messi out for around another month as he recovers from the knee ligament injury he suffered in the 2-1 win at home to Las Palmas on September 26, Neymar's return to form is timely.

Even though Barca are likely to overcome BATE Borisov home and away in the Champions League in that time, Getafe and Villarreal present tough tests in La Liga and the Clasico at Real Madrid takes place on November 21. Even if Messi is back for that (which is the plan), the Catalans need Neymar at his best for one of their key clashes in the race for the Primera Division.

"Sum up Neymar's game in one word? I would say it in two: Im-pressive!" Luis Enrique said afterwards. The word in Spanish (impresionante) carries more weight than its English translation, yet it was still an understatement.

Messi watched the game from the stands with Andres Iniesta (also injured) and he will have been impressed too. The Argentine has had his problems from the penalty spot this season with two misses from his three spot-kicks - and on this evidence he may have a new rival for the job in Neymar.

After the forward's four-goal salvo, Suarez scored to make it five for Barca and Rayo pulled one back at the other end in an entertaining encounter.

"In training, if the players have that many chances they score nine or 10," Luis Enrique added afterwards. "So we need to be more effective."

It was a remark that could have been applied to many of his players. But not Neymar. He did all he could and with the Brazilian on this fantastic form, Barcelona won't be missing Messi much over the next few weeks - and that is the best news of all for the Catalan club right now.