7M Exclusive - Barcelona MSN trio

Posted Saturday, March 18, 2017 by 7M Sport

There's no need for football players to develop a friendship off the field. However, if they are good friends, they will strike a lethal combination.

That is almost exactly the case with Barcelona's M-S-N trio. The Barcelona striker Lionel Messi got Neymar and Luis Suarez as his partners to form arguably the world's most lethal attacking trident.

Before 2013

Barca sold Eto'o, Ibrahimovic and David Villa Sanchez to allow the real king Messi to show his talent.

That was to warn off other rivals.

2013

Neymar was transferred to Barcelona from Santos that summer.

The then 22-year-old was considered the "heir" to Lionel Messi's throne as the best player in the world.

The Argentine, however, wasn't ready to make way as he just won his third consecutive Ballon d'Or award at that time.

The arrival of Neymar opened up an uncertain future for Barca.

The Brazilian was smart enough to express his support and respect for Messi in such situation.

Therefore, he was soon trusted by Messi.

With the joining of Neymar, Messi was adept on the pitch.

Head coach Martino asked Neymar to afford some defensive duties, which would be a new task for him, but he received solid support from his partner.

In fact, the two have bonded extremely well not only on the pitch, but also off it.

What's worth mentioning is that, Messi has surrendered 10 spot kick-taking duties to the Brazilian since 2013.

2014

Barca signed Suarez that summer, an act considered to cause trouble at Camp Nou.

Nevertheless, the Uruguayan was also smart enough to show favour for Messi.

He told Messi that he had transferred to Barcelona to learn from him.

And it's Mate(a kind of tea) that bonds them together.

Suarez was born in Salto, only 306 kilometers from Rosario where Messi was born, so they have similar background.

The two often go out to have a Mate.

2015

Having played together for 2 months, MSN fired on all cylinders in Barca's game against Atletico de Madrid in January, 2015. They all found their names on the scoresheet.

They even walked out onto the pitch shoulder and shoulder.

One may feel jealous for their close friendship and mutual respect for each other.

Jorge Sampaoli even joked that FIFA should consider banning MSN.