Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar shaped one of many biggest attacking trios in soccer historical past at FC Barcelona, however regardless of their dominance, they managed to win just one UEFA Champions League title collectively. Years later, a former Barca teammate who shared the pitch with them has revealed why the workforce didn’t seize extra silverware.
With such a flawless attacking trio, Barcelona wanted a robust spine to keep up consistency over time, and one of many key figures offering that stability was Ivan Rakitić. The Croatian midfielder, who not too long ago introduced his retirement, spent six seasons on the membership and was a part of the facet that lifted the 2015 Champions League trophy.
Talking on The Relaxation Is Soccer YouTube channel, Rakitić was requested what it was prefer to play alongside the MSN trio, and his reply was clear: “Simply get pleasure from. Already unhealthy passes are good passes. It was an assault that European soccer won’t ever have once more. They’re huge gamers, and those that may do the distinction, with this assault it was one thing actually particular.“
The previous Barcelona midfielder then mirrored on the workforce’s success, and the potential missed on it. “That’s why I prefer to say that we gained quite a bit, however usually it might’ve been rather more. It was a little bit of a disgrace for us that we didn’t get much more titles,” Rakitic candidly acknowledged.
FC Barcelona’s workforce within the 2015-16 season.
When requested about what went improper, Rakitić pointed to Neymar’s 2017 departure to Paris Saint-Germain as a turning level for the workforce: “I believe, to start with, we needed to do every thing to push Neymar to stick with us. That was step one, after which lastly simply get in each recreation at 100%. I believe on the highest degree, in case you simply develop down a bit of bit, you’re in huge issues.
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“Wanting again a bit of bit I believe it might’ve gone significantly better for us, however that is additionally the nice a part of soccer,” he added. he added. Rakitić additionally talked about {that a} lack of readiness at key moments ended up being a key issue at Barcelona, referencing their consecutive Champions League quarterfinal exits, in opposition to Atlético Madrid in 2016 and Juventus in 2017.
A workforce that grew ‘bored of successful’
With Neymar’s arrival in 2014, the enduring trio started to take form. In simply 4 seasons collectively, the three stars mixed for 364 targets and 173 assists, serving to Barcelona win 9 trophies earlier than Neymar’s transfer to PSG. Nonetheless, Rakitić believes that, over time, the workforce misplaced a few of its edge.
In search of an evidence behind their “failure,” the Croatian provided an sincere evaluation: “Possibly it’s not the suitable phrase, however we obtained a bit ‘bored of successful,’ or not being hungry at 100%. I believe lastly, ending this six years in Barcelona, it’s arduous to say ‘just one Champions League’, however I believe it might’ve been two or three fairly simply.”
