Messi, Suarez & Neymar: A trident worth 215 goals
Lionel Messi carried FC Barcelona to victory against Arsenal with two goals. Messi’s role was once again fundamental as the Blaugrana achieved a decisive triumph at the Emirates Stadium which has handed them a massive advantage in their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League quarter-finals.
The first of his two goals was a work of art constructed by the trident, with Luis Suarez and Neymar also involved. The Uruguayan led a rapid counter-attack, passing to Neymar who created the goal for the Argentine. It’s been a regular sight since these three wizards of football came together in 2014.
The MSN, as they have become known, have scored 215 goals in the year and a half they have spent together at Camp Nou. It’s barbaric. It demonstrates their offensive power and their great understanding. While Messi remains the No.1 (87 goals), Suarez (66) and Neymar (62) have become his best allies.
And his friends, too. They are so good that they deserve to occupy the podium at the next Ballon d’Or. Because the Uruguayan and the Brazilian, as of today, are both better than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The five titles won in 2015 can’t be understood without this trident. Luis Enrique’s side have evolved from the ‘Guardiola Model’ into a team based on the goalscoring exploits of Messi, Suarez and Neymar.
Together they continue to grow as well. This season, with 20 games still to be played (13 La Liga, 1 Copa del Rey, 6 Champions League if they reach they final), they have scored 93 goals. Last season they finished with 122 and that can still be beaten - they’re running at two goals a game.
So far in 2016, Messi and Suarez have scored the most. With the two goals against Arsenal, the Argentine has 16 and is the top scorer in Europe across all competitions this calendar year. The Uruguayan has 15. Neymar ‘only’ has seven goals.
But it’s not just goals that symbolises this trident, but also the assists. Among the three, they have directly set up 99 goals (Messi 39, Suarez 36 and Neymar 24). Solidarity in addition to being cracks.
