Neymar continues to outperform Messi as PSG sensation excels in January

It's feasible to suggest that Neymar is in the form of his life. PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel has struck the right balance with his setup that allows the Brazilian to thrive alongside the likes of Angel Di Maria and Kylian Mbappe. Normally, opponents would expose the lack of protection to the defence, but Neymar is making the most of the creative freedom to do damage in the final third. 

At the time of writing, Neymar is the top rated player in Europe's top five leagues this season with a WhoScored rating of 8.68. His WhoScored rating for January in Ligue 1 was an exceptional 9.18 as Neymar put in fine showings against Monaco twice and Lille as he scored five and assisted one; the Brazil international has a direct hand in more goals (6) than any other player in France's top tier in January. 

After his injury issues, the 27-year-old returned to the first team fold with aplomb as he earned the WhoScored man of the match award in the 3-3 draw with Monaco on home turf and then the 2-0 win at Lille, where the mercurial attacker netted both goals. With an 8.57 rating in that victory, it marked Neymar's worst rated display in a league match last month, which speaks volumes of the level at which he is performing at present. 

With more successful dribbles (22) and key passes (12) than any other player in Ligue 1 last month, and the second most shots (14) in France's top tier, Neymar was more than deserving of his player of the month gong. He wasn't the only PSG player to make the grade in this XI, with Thomas Meunier (7.37) featuring in a side incidentally dominated by Lyon. Manchester United and Chelsea target Moussa Dembele (7.98) scored two and assisted one in January to star on the frontline, while Maxwel Cornet (8.62) and Marcel (8.05) round off the Lyon contingent. 

Brest, like PSG, boast two players from the best XI in Ligue 1 in the form of Gaetan Charbonnier (8.23) and Jean-Charles Castelletto (7.47), the latter of whom partners Nimes defender Anthony Briancon (7.45) at the heart of the defence. Metz shotstopper Alexandre Oukidja (8.28) operates between the sticks, with the Algerian keeping two clean sheets last month, while Rennes ace Raphinha (7.63) makes the grade on the right wing. 

Andy Delort (8.05) helped himself to two goals for Montpellier in January to complete a side that Neymar shines in as the Brazilian, were it even possible, exceeded expectations and, with the Champions League returning this month, at just the right time.