ON THIS DAY: The legendary ‘MSN’ Barcelona attack of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar secured the continental treble by defeating Juventus in the Champions League final
In the vast annals of European football, the ‘MSN’ attack was a relatively brief phenomenon at Barcelona, existing for just three years between 2014 and 2017.
Yet Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar etched their place in history as the greatest forward line ever assembled during a hat-trick of astonishing seasons at Camp Nou. They fired Barca to the double of La Liga and the Copa del Rey during the 2015/16 campaign and defended the latter crown in their final term together.
But it is their debut season – 2014/15 – which will be remembered forever, as they combined to set the Catalan club on course for the continental treble, including Champions League glory. Suarez and Neymar were both on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory over Juventus on this day (June 6) seven years ago to make Luis Enrique’s side the first in European history to win two trebles, adding to their triumph under Pep Guardiola in the 2008/09 campaign.
It marked an astonishing resurgence for a Barca outfit which could only clinch the Supercopa de Espana in a disappointing 2013/14 season, leading to Gerardo Martino’s departure. Suarez’s arrival proved to be the turning point for the Spanish giants after he joined in a £75million transfer from Liverpool.
Having fallen agonisingly short in the Premier League title race, the Uruguayan put his woes behind him and struck up a brilliant understanding with Messi and Neymar. Suarez scored a respectable 24 goals in all competitions but what was quite so impressive was how he linked up with his fellow South Americans, registering a breathtaking 23 assists.
This helped Messi hit the astonishing tally of 58 goals in 56 appearances, while Neymar struck 39 times to fully announce himself on the European scene two seasons into his Barca career. The trio’s first campaign together set the tone for the two which followed; they scored a total of 371 club goals between 2014 and 2017 and their bond was widely spoken of during that time.
Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar won three consecutive Copa del Rey titles together (Image: FC Barcelona via Getty Images)
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique told UEFA: “We are talking about the best players in the world. They understand each other perfectly. There is no hint of jealousy, and you can see that out on the field in their performances. They have a special relationship.”
One of the greatest nights of Messi, Suarez and Neymar’s spell together – up there with their Champions League heroics in 2015 – came nearly two years later against Paris Saint-German in the last 16. Faced with a 4-0 deficit from the first leg, all three superstars were on the scoresheet in a 6-1 victory over the French club to ensure progression to the quarter-finals with European football’s greatest comeback.
“I saw Ney, he was encouraging his teammates, with the desire that he had. This gave you a feeling that he was animated and that spreads to an entire team,” Suarez said in his Brazilian teammate’s Netflix documentary. Messi added: “We went all or nothing, we no longer had anything to lose.”
Barcelona completed the greatest ever European comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 (Image: Getty Images)
Neymar himself has a tattoo saying ‘1% chance, 99 faith’ in memory of the famous Camp Nou occasion and said: “I had a unique feeling of happiness. It was one of the best days of my career.” As it happened, he would join PSG a matter of months later in a £198million transfer, making him the most expensive player in history and breaking up the trident he formed with Messi and Suarez.
Fast forward five years and none of ‘MSN’ grace the Camp Nou pitch week in, week out. Suarez departed for Atletico Madrid on a free transfer – after Barca chiefs controversially refused to extend his contract – and Messi reunited with Neymar at PSG having been unable to pen a new deal due to the Spanish club’s dire financial predicament.
Yet the bond between them remains as close as ever and Suarez – whose family is particularly close with Messi’s – leapt to both of his former teammates’ defence earlier this year. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and Neymar were booed by PSG fans following their embarrassing Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid.
Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar will be remembered as a legendary attacking trident (Image: Getty Images)
Is ‘MSN’ the greatest attack of all time? Have your say in the comments!
In response, Suarez took to Instagram to post a picture alongside the duo and write: “As always, football has no memory. I’m always with you! I love you very much!” While Messi, 34, and Neymar, 30, will hope for better on the continental stage with PSG next season, Suarez’s future is up in the air as he prepares to leave Atletico this month.
The 35-year-old has been linked with a move to Aston Villa which would see him return to the Premier League and reunite with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard, who now manages the Midlands club. Suarez’s reported preference is to remain in Europe and continue what has been one of the most-prolific careers witnessed in the 21st century, the highlight of which was undoubtedly his three years playing between Messi on the right and Neymar on the left.
