Is there a better strikeforce in world football than Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez?
Adam Davies: On paper, no. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema is a formidable trio, but they are all scorers rather than creators. Barca’s trio can each do both effectively.
Jordan Chamberlain: In terms of brute physicality and dynamism, Real Madrid’s ‘BBC’ trio (Bale, Benzema & Cristiano) are stronger – but in terms of pure genius, this Barcelona side could do truly special things. Although Rickie Lambert, Wilfried Bony and Daniel Sturridge could run them close next season…
Steve Green: Yes – Bale, Ronaldo and whoever Madrid sign to replace Benzema.
Tom Seymour: No. Messi has proven he is among the best ever and a World Cup winners medal will only confirm that. Neymar also showed at the tournament that he can deal with huge amounts of pressure and is a special talent, whilst Suarez was the only player last year to match Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s ludicrous scoring records.
If Luis Enrique can get them functioning together then opposition defences will be in trouble.
Jacob Daniel: On paper definitely not, but as Neymar’s mediocre first season in La Liga showed, it’s tough to fit three such massive superstars into a team without there being a bit of friction.
Rob Summerscales: Real Madrid’s attack still has a slight edge in my eyes because it is more powerful and versatile. Saying that, if Ivan Rakitic settles well in midfield, Barca could be unstoppable.
Will Luis Suarez succeed at Camp Nou?
Adam Davies: Probably, but it depends of course how well Suarez works with Messi, Neymar and the midfielders behind him. Gareth Bale shone at Real Madrid last season because he was willing to accede that Cristiano Ronaldo was the main man – as did Neymar with Lionel Messi, though with slightly less success. Suarez will have to hit the ground running, and stay away from controversy – particularly in the high intensity setting of El Clasico.
Jordan Chamberlain: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry found it difficult to reach their individual bests at the Nou Camp, because of one reason: Lionel Messi. Rightly, Messi is the focal point and the star of the side, while Suarez (and previously Ibra) seem the type to really thrive when given the role of ‘main man’. Suarez will do well at Barca – but he’ll be a cog in the wheel, and no more.
Steve Green: Most likely. Alongside Messi and Neymar how could he go wrong?
Tom Seymour: Almost certainly. He has shown at Liverpool that with a few decent support members he can achieve great things, so with Messi, Neymar and Andres Iniesta alongside him Suarez could go onto be considered one of the greats
As long as he stops biting people.
Jacob Daniel: He’s such a good player that it’s hard to see him not succeeding. The only thing is that, at Groningen, Ajax and Liverpool, he’s always been the piranha swimming amongst tadpoles, so he will have to do some adapting to being one star in a constellation.
Rob Summerscales: If he stays there for the duration of his five-year contract, he is very likely to win at least one La Liga title and perhaps even the Champions League. He will score a bag full of goals in Spain, pick up a few trophies and make a heap of money for his young family. I’d consider that a success.