China's factory output expands in June '25    Egyptian pound climbs against dollar at Wednesday's close    Egypt, UNCTAD discuss investment, economic cooperation in Spain    Gaza under Israeli siege as death toll mounts, famine looms    New accords on trade, security strengthen Egypt-Oman Relations    Egypt launches public-private partnership to curb c-sections, improve maternal, child health    Egypt Post discusses enhanced cooperation with Ivorian counterpart    EMRA, Elsewedy sign partnership to explore, develop phosphate reserves in Sebaiya    Opella becomes first global consumer healthcare firm to gain B Corp status    Philip Morris Misr announces new price list effective 1 July    Egypt's FM backs IAEA role, urges de-escalation on Iran nuclear issue    Egypt's Environment Minister calls for stronger action on desertification, climate resilience in Africa    Egypt in diplomatic push for Gaza truce, Iran-Israel de-escalation    Egypt teams up with private sector to boost university rankings    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Egypt condemns deadly terrorist attack in Niger    Egypt, Tunisia discuss boosting healthcare cooperation        Egypt's EHA, Schneider Electric sign MoU on sustainable infrastructure    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Grand Egyptian Museum opening delayed to Q4    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Egypt discovers three New Kingdom tombs in Luxor's Dra' Abu El-Naga    Egypt launches "Memory of the City" app to document urban history    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Barcelona's Messi return to reunite 'MNS' for the 'Clasico'
Published in Ahram Online on 19 - 11 - 2015

Lionel Messi's return from injury looks to be coming at exactly the right time for Barcelona as he gears up for a reunion with Neymar and Luis Suarez for Saturday's La Liga 'Clasico' at Real Madrid.
The most lethal attacking trio in Spanish soccer history have not played together since Argentina's Messi injured a knee at the end of September, during which time Brazil forward Neymar and Uruguay striker Suarez have flourished.
Neymar has thrived on the extra creative responsibility given him by coach Luis Enrique and he has developed a stronger understanding with his team mates, especially Suarez.
The pair have netted 16 goals in Barca's last seven games and for the first time in recent years, with Barca top of La Liga and leading their Champions League group, there is no talk of "Messi dependency".
The debate over whether Messi, a four-time World Player of the Year, is irreplaceable has morphed into a discussion about whether the 23-year-old Neymar will be his worthy heir at the Nou Camp.
Messi's return against Real would clearly give a new dimension to the Barca attack whether he starts or is deployed off the bench.
It is 10 years this week since the 28-year-old played his first 'Clasico' and he has left an indelible mark with a record 21 goals in 30 matches against Barca's arch rivals.
"We are aware that Leo is the best in the world and we will always recognise that," Suarez told a news conference on Wednesday.
"Time will tell how good a forward line we are but it is true that we get on well and the whole team helps us to score goals.
"Without the players behind us though we would be nothing and we wouldn't achieve anything."
No ego
Barca's Spain international Gerard Pique also pointed to the camaraderie among the trio -- collectively known in Spain as "MNS" -- as a reason for their success.
"The key for these three is the relationship that they have," Pique said in a recent interview with Britain's Telegraph newspaper.
"The only problem when you have players of this magnitude is the ego.
"Suarez was the main man at Liverpool, Leo, before we had Suarez and Neymar, it was just him.
"And how they connect -- they do not have any ego and this is the most important part."
Messi, Neymar and Suarez hit a Spanish record 122 goals between them last season to fire Barca to a treble of Champions League, La Liga and King's Cup titles and they match up favourably alongside the rich history of attacking flair at the Catalan club.
It may be difficult to compare players of different eras, and only since the arrival of Johan Cruyff as coach in the late 1980s with his revolutionary style of play have Barca regularly fielded three forwards, but the present trio stand out.
Messi has figured in other memorable attacks, notably alongside Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o when they hit 100 goals in the 2008-09 treble-winning season.
His earlier partnership with Eto'o and Ronaldinho may have produced breathtaking football but their best scoring record was a combined 68 goals in the 2005-06 season.
The Brazilian Ronaldo produced some magical football for Barca alongside Luis Figo and Luis Enrique although their tally of 73 goals in 1996-97 is a long way short of the present forward line's scoring feats.
With Barca three points clear at the top, the pressure is firmly on Real to find a way of stopping "MNS".
(For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/169152.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.