Former Barcelona superstar Luis Suárez has thanked Lionel Messi and Neymar for helping him win the Golden Boot in 2016.
Between 2014 and 2017, Barcelona arguably had the most fearsome attacking trio in the game. Nicknamed MSN, Messi, Neymar and Suárez combined effortlessly on the pitch, scoring extraordinary goals for fun. Fueled by their explosiveness, the blaugrana achieved their second continental treble in the 2014-15 season.
The next season, they won the La Liga title. Suárez emerged as the top scorer, snagging the Pichichi trophy with 40 goals in 35 games, good enough for the Uruguayan to win his first Golden Boot.
In an interview with Brazilian outlet Placar, the Gremio striker recalled his first and only Golden Boot win. Gentle as always, Suárez thanked Messi and Neymar for helping him to the podium.
“For us, Messi was the best in the world, and for me, Neymar was the second best, but they helped me win the Golden Boot. I will always be grateful,” said Suárez (via Marca).
Suárez also revealed the secret behind the trio’s unrivaled success.
“It’s further proof that three stars together can play on the same team with the goal of winning for the team, not individually. And I think that is what made us better and good teammates”, added Suárez.
MSN dissolved in 2017 when Neymar was lured by French team Paris Saint-Germain. Suárez believes that his former teammate should have snubbed the Parisians and would have won the Ballon d’Or if he had stayed at the Camp Nou.
Suarez said:
“If Neymar had stayed at Barcelona, he would have won a Ballon d’Or, for sure. My opinion is that if he had stayed, he would have won ”.
Messi was the last ‘MSN’ man in Barcelona after Suárez was sold to Atlético Madrid in 2020. The former Liverpool man scored 21 goals in 32 La Liga games next season to help Roj Rojiblancos conquer the title of the highest Spanish category.
Raphinha shines as Barcelona with ten men defeat Valencia
Under-fire striker Raphinha produced the goods as Xavi’s Barcelona earned a key 1-0 victory over Valencia at the Camp Nou on Sunday (March 5).
The Brazilian full-back scored the only goal of the match with a header from the center of the area. While the header was easy, it was his determined run that got him there. He showed great enthusiasm to outwit Jesús Vázquez and connect with Sergio Busquets’ splintered ball in the box.
In the 59th minute, Araujo knocked Hugo Duro to the ground to prevent the striker from getting into a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The referee did not take kindly to the flagrant foul and gave the defender his marching orders. Barcelona somehow held on for the rest of the game to record a narrow victory.
Courtesy of Real Madrid’s win and goalless draw with Real Betis, the Blaugrana now have a nine-point cushion at the top with 14 games to go.
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