Barcelona is currently benefiting from having three of the best players in the world on their roster. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar combine to make the best front line in the sport. All three players are thriving this season. The Neymar-Messi connection is winning games, while Suarez leads La Liga in goals scored. However, is there a rivalry brewing between the three players?
Dubbed "MSN," Messi, Suarez and Neymar are three of the best players in their sport and want their goals. However, Messi says that the three have put egos aside and have built a friendship off the pitch that is benefiting them on the pitch. Any idea that a feud or rivalry is being built around the three players is being put to rest as Barcelona enters the final stretch of La Liga play.
"The truth is we have a very good relationship on and off the pitch," Messi said. "We get on very well together. We aim to work as a team and that is good for us all to feel important. That is why confidence is so high. Being 'latinos' maybe brings you closer, although we are professionals, when we represent our national teams we change roles, but there is no rivalry or confrontation."
Cristiano Ronaldo was quoted saying that friendship on the pitch did not matter and he did not need to be buddy-buddy with his teammates in order for Real Madrid to win matches. That might not be the case, as Barcelona is becoming an example of what happens when three of the best players simply focus on winning. Neymar echoed the beliefs of Messi, saying that he loves being a part of the Barcelona trio.
"Barcelona is about so much more than myself, Leo, and Luis, but of course I love the relationship we have. We are achieving special things on the field, and our friendship off the field plays a big part in that," Neymar said.
Barcelona's season will live or die by Neymar, Messi and Suarez. The team needs those three to be playing their best if they intend to win the La Liga title and succeed in Champions League play. Injuries are a concern, as all three players have played in every minute of the recent stretch of games. Messi has already missed time for injuries. Manager Luis Enrique stressed that he will rest the players as he sees fit. Neymar, Suarez and Messi have combined for 59 goals this season, and Barcelona needs that to continue.
"Resting the three forwards will depend on what I see fit," Enrique said. "It is something that I haven't brought up. We will see - to be a coach is to continually take decisions."
