Lionel Messi: My Barcelona Partnership With Neymar, Luis Suarez Can Improve

Lionel Messi’s latest words should strike fear into the hearts of fans of any team other than F.C. Barcelona.

Messi told Squawka on Monday his partnership with teammates Neymar and Luis Suarez can reach a higher level than its current astronomical one. Messi, Neymar and Suarez have fired Barcelona to the brink of a rare treble, which they can secure with a win over Juventus on Saturday in the UEFA Champions League final.

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“I’m lucky,” Messi said, according to Squawka. “I’ve played with so many wonderful forwards over the years. I had a great connection with Ronaldinho. I played with Samuel Eto’o, with Thierry Henry, with Pedro, David Villa, Alexis (Sanchez).

“But I have to say that it is hard to top lining up alongside Neymar and Suarez. They are two players at the top of their games. We have only been together as a three for one season, so there is still work to do on the partnership, and we can all improve together — but we all see it as teamwork.

“I’ve said before that with Neymar’s quality, touch and fitness, he can become the best in the world — and Luis is the same. His touch, vision, his movement, his instinctive play, are incredible. We all offer something different, and make each other better.”

Messi touched on other topics in the wide-ranging interview. He revealed the extent of his heartbreak at losing to Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final. He also discussed how he motivates himself to remain at the top of the sport despite winning dozens of trophies already.

Messi also said Brazil legend Ronaldo and French great Zinedine Zidane were his idols when he was growing up because of their talent on the field and their graciousness off it.

Messi, 27, also revealed he would consider playing as a midfielder in the future. Messi already has confirmed himself as one of the greatest goal scorers of all time. Perhaps we’re witnessing his transformation into one of the all-time great playmakers.