David Villa hails Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar as best trio ever in the history of Barcelona
Former Spain striker David Villa has hailed the trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr and Luis Suarez, commonly known as MSN as “undoubtedly” the best attacking trio in the history of Barcelona football club.
Villa happens to be the all-time leading goalscorer for the Spanish national team. He is the first Spanish footballer to have scored 50 international goals. He retired from international football after the 2014 World Cup, having scored 59 goals in 97 appearances for the national team. He is only behind the legendary Alfredo Di Stéfano in the goals-to-games ratio for La Roja.
Barcelona recently won the Club World Cup title, winning 3-1 against Argentinian side River Plate. Villa, who is now 34 years of age and plays for New York City FC in the MLS spoke to Sport on Wednesday and voiced his conviction that the current Blaugrana front line is better than all the rest that came before them.
He said, "Without a doubt, it's the best trident in Barca's history. It's undoubtedly the best.”
"The numbers speak for themselves. You only have to analyse them: they're brutal, individually and collectively.”
"I can say I was part of one of the best forward lines that the club has had."
Villa praises impact of Luis Enrique on Barcelona
David Villa himself was part of the Barcelona front line that went on to win the 2011 Champions League. He along with Messi and Pedro was lethal in that team under Pep Guardiola. Villa scored 18 goals that season. Barcelona won the Champions League, along with La Liga with 96 points, four points over second-placed arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Three years prior to that, the Barcelona front three was formed by Ronaldinho, Messi and Samuel Eto’o. Messi had just come into the team and had already started to sway the world with his skills. Ronaldinho and Messi formed a great partnership. They were helped by the clinical Eto’o.
They won the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League defeating Arsenal. The final took place in Stade de France, Paris and the Catalans were being coached by Frank Rijkaard.
Villa also praised the work of the present coach Luis Enrique.
"When he arrived, the team started with ups and downs, with criticism coming from everywhere and in the end Barca won everything again."
Luis Enrique was appointed as the Barcelona manager on the 19th of May. 2014. Initially, when he was building his team he came under a lot of criticism but things began to take a turn for the good with the MSN coming into their own. Under him, Barcelona won the treble for the second time in their history which is unprecedented.