Luis Suarez admits Lionel Messi is the best player among the trio
FC Barcelona ace forward Luis Suarez has hailed Lionel Messi as the best player in the MSN trio while admitting at the same time that there partnership works so well because there is no jealousy among him, Neymar and the Argentine.
Suarez joined the Catalan giants in the 2014/15 season for a fee of of £75m from Liverpool after he enjoyed a spectacular season with the Reds winning the European Golden Boot alongwith Ronaldo (joint top scorers in their respective leagues) and the PFA Player of the Year award. Upon his arrival in Spain, Barca’s attack was rejuvenated as the trio went onto to sweep the club’s second treble and scored 122 goals across all competitions in the process.
The Uruguayan scored 25 goals and assited 21 in the process- a feat which was recognised by UEFA as he was shortlisted in the top 3 for Best Player of Europe award which was eventually won by his club mate Messi.
And Suarez believes that the La Liga champions’ success is down to the fact that no one tries to overtake or overshadow the Argentine as he is the undisputed best player in thier side.
Talking to La Vanguirda, the 28-year-old said, "We are all rowing in the same direction -- to give Barcelona titles. The relationship on and off the pitch is very good. We all know that Leo [Messi] is the best. None of us attempts to overtake him or equal what he does.
"There is no jealousy. We are part of a team, and we don't compete with anyone. If you had several players wanting to compete to be No. 1, it would be complicated. I'm just here to help. I don't feel jealousy."
"Today, I don't feel the same pressure I felt in other places," the 28-year-old said. "There are other players that stand out more. Not everything depends on me, and that gives me more peace.
Less pressure at Barca than at Liverpool
Since moving to the Anfield Arena from Ajax in 2011, the Uruguyuan became a focal point for the Merseysiders and was pivotal in almost getting them their first Premier League title in the 2013/14 season. But his role in Barcelona has been different as the presence of such world class players has decreased the pressure he used to feel in England.
"At Liverpool, without anyone asking me,” he added. I demanded myself to do things so the team would do well. But when there was a bad game, I was criticised."
Suarez said he was delighted to have already achieved his ambition to win trophies with Barcelona. And he added that he believed the move had improved him as a footballer, saying: "With quality players around you, it's easier -- you learn a lot just by watching the things they do."
Suarez is still serving the suspension from international matches imposed after he bit Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, and will not play in the opening rounds of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
"I miss it very much," he said. "Once I return, two years will have passed and it's incomprehensible.
"When you consider that a doping case carries the punishment of one or two years, it's as though my situation was considered the same -- and that is painful," he concluded.
Suarez and Barca will be action this week as club football resumes after the international break with the Catalan side travelling to the Vicente Calderon to take on title contenders Atletico Madrid in a high-profile La Liga encounter.