Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has stated the success of his team’s superstar forward line lies in their close friendships off the pitch.
South American trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have combined for 56 of Barca’s 65 league goals so far this season, sparking optimism that the Catalan giants will match last year’s treble-winning trophy exploits over the course of the next few months.
And Rakitic, who is the team’s next highest scorer with three goals, believes the fact that ‘MSN’ get on so well together explains their goalscoring record.
“The surprising thing about Messi, Neymar and Suarez is that they are not egotistical,” the Croatian said. “Despite being three very different personalities they have pure harmony.”
Rakitic’s words are in stark contrast to Cristiano Ronaldo’s comments on Tuesday, who, in response to questions surrounding Barca’s chemistry, claimed off-the-field relationships are irrelevant to sporting success.
Rakitic added: “This might sound like an exaggeration, but they are the three best friends in the world – the best friends in the history of football. It doesn’t need to be said how important that is for us.”
Saturday’s long trip to Las Palmas, based on Gran Canaria, will see Barca attempt to maintain their six-point lead at the top against a side inside the relegation zone after losing four of their last five games.
Barca are without the rested Gerard Pique and suspended Sergio Busquets, but manager Luis Enrique has insisted his players will not be taking it easy ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Arsenal.
“If any team has shown they are capable of playing every three or four days, it’s us,” said the Barca boss. “If things don’t go the way we want, it won’t be because we’re thinking about Arsenal.”
Wednesday’s 3-1 victory at Sporting Gijon, saw the re-emergence of a familiar failing as Luis Suarez had a penalty saved, meaning Barca have missed seven from the spot this season – Suarez once, Messi twice and Neymar four times.
Enrique joked: “They could make the goals bigger for us, or let us kick them over like in rugby. It’s good that we’re missing because it means we have something to improve.”