
Barcelona is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world, with a rich history of trophies, stars, and style.
Among the many glorious chapters in the club’s story, one of the most recent and remarkable was the time of the Messi, Suarez, and Neymar (MSN) era, when the three South American superstars formed a devastating attacking trio that dazzled fans and opponents alike.
MSN Years
The MSN era began in 2014 when Luis Suarez joined Barcelona from Liverpool. Neymar had already been at the club since 2013, and Lionel Messi was a stalwart of the team, having been with Barcelona since he was a teenager.
The three players played together for three seasons, from 2014-15 to 2016-17, before Neymar left the club to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2017.
Read: Best Trios in Football History – Top 10 from MSN, BBC, RRC and others
Seven years ago today, Luis Suarez joined Barcelona and MSN was born!
That trident was on a different level during the 2015-16 season 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ncSTwgJila
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 16, 2021
The Formations
The MSN era saw Barcelona employ a variety of formations depending on the opposition and the situation. However, the most commonly used formation during this period was the 4-3-3.
In this formation, Messi played as the right winger, Neymar as the left winger, and Suarez as the central striker. The midfield trio typically comprised Sergio Busquets as the holding midfielder, with Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic providing creativity and support from the centre of the park.
Style of Play
Messi was the undisputed leader of the team, the homegrown hero who had been breaking records and winning titles since he was a teenager. The Argentine star could create and score goals with his sublime skills, vision, and intelligence. He was also the captain and the symbol of Barcelona’s identity and philosophy.
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Neymar was the dazzling star who had arrived from Santos in 2013 as one of the most exciting talents in the world.
The Brazilian prodigy was known for his speed, flair, creativity, and ability to dribble past defenders and finish with style. He was also a charismatic and cheerful presence in the dressing room and on the pitch.
Read: Have Neymar ever won the Ballon d’Or?
Suarez was the controversial striker who had left Liverpool after a brilliant but turbulent spell in England.
The Uruguayan warrior was a ruthless finisher, a tireless worker, and a fierce competitor who often got into trouble for his aggressive and unsportsmanlike behaviour. He was also a loyal and generous teammate who sacrificed himself for the team and his partners.
Six years ago today, Luis Suarez joined Barcelona and the MSN was born in 2014-15.
Messi: 58 goals, 29 assists
Suarez: 25 goals, 23 assists
Neymar: 39 goals, 10 assistsChampions League. La Liga. Copa del Rey. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wO0nn1xmGr
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 16, 2020
How many trophies did the MSN win?
The MSN era was a period of unprecedented success for Barcelona, and they won numerous trophies during this time. Here is a rundown of the major trophies won during this period:
La Liga (2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18): Barcelona won three La Liga titles during the MSN era, playing some of the most attractive and attacking football ever seen. Messi, Suarez, and Neymar were the top scorers in each of these campaigns, with their goals and assists proving decisive in securing the titles.
UEFA Champions League (2014-15): The highlight of the MSN era was undoubtedly Barcelona’s Champions League triumph in the 2014-15 season. The trio of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar were simply unstoppable, with their combined tally of 122 goals in all competitions propelling Barcelona to the title. They defeated Juventus 3-1 in the final, with Messi scoring the opening goal.
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Copa del Rey (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17): Barcelona also won the Copa del Rey in the three seasons during the MSN era, completing a domestic double in 2015 and 2016. Messi, Suarez, and Neymar were once again instrumental in these victories, scoring 36 goals in the competition.
How many goals did MSN scored for Barcelona?
The MSN trio was a goal-scoring machine, and they terrorized defences across Europe with their pace, skill, and creativity. Here is a breakdown of the number of goals they scored during their three seasons together:
2014-15: Messi, Suarez, and Neymar scored 122 goals in all competitions, with Messi leading the way with 58 goals, Suarez contributing 25, and Neymar chipping in with 39.
2015-16: The trio scored 131 goals in all competitions, with Messi scoring 41, Suarez netting 59, and Neymar scoring 31.
2016-17: In their final season together, Messi, Suarez, and Neymar scored 111 goals in all competitions, with Messi contributing 54, Suarez scoring 37, and Neymar scoring 20.
The MSN era will always be remembered as a golden period in the history of Barcelona, and the legacy of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar will live on for generations to come.