The World at their feet: Barcelona's exceptional front-three

Barcelona have come a long way in just a few months, with Luis Enrique under immense pressure in January but having recently signed a contract extension after guiding the Catalan giants to the treble, but how big a part did Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar play in all of that? And how far can they help take the Blaugrana?

The World at their feet: Barcelona's exceptional front-three
charlie-malam
By Charlie Malam

Fifty nine games, one hundred and twenty two goals and three major trophies.

The combined, and simply otherworldly, numbers for an otherworldly trio of footballers. A particular three, as you may well know, who have been at the heart of a record-breaking FC Barcelona side as the Blaugrana completed only their second ever continental treble.

To think that three players can record a sensational number of 122 goals between them, considerably more than most major European league sides can muster as an entire team, is astounding - even more so that 80 of those goals, or an overwhelming 65 per cent, have come since New Year's Day. 

The South American attacking trident of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have spearheaded the Catalan giants to successes almost unthinkable back in January, when manager Luis Enrique was under intense pressure for poor performances and equally as disappointing results compared to the then-invincible Real Madrid, whose Club World Cup triumph gave them their fourth trophy of the calendar year.

But since overcoming the brief Anoeta turmoil, 'MSN' has since become the driving force behind a side which won a staggering 50 of their 60 competitive games throughout the course of the campaign, losing just six. 

Big players for the big stage

They were there to spur their side on again sa they helped Barca over the line in Berlin exactly one week ago to secure the UEFA Champions League, helping to complete the set, or "perfection" as Gerard Pique adequately put it.

Just when Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus had been growing in momentum, with Alvaro Morata having drawn them level with a simple tap-in - Messi drove from deep with the ball at his feet, guiding a powerful low strike towards goal which Gianluigi Buffon could only palm out for Luis Suarez to restore his side's lead.

Neymar would go on to plunge a dagger into Italian hearts by adding a third with the last kick of the game, finishing off a counter-attack in fine style to seal the win - but it was Suarez' strike, the 121st of the trio's total tally, which was the more significant.

From there on in, Barca were the team on top once again and Neymar's third came as little surprise - after the Brazilian had had an effort chalked off earlier in the game. 

Come full-time, once the celebrations had died down and Pique had left with yet another set of nets - the overwhelming feeling was that this Barcelona side, with the front-three all in some of the best form of their careers, can achieve anything - and they certainly can. But what's made them so successful over the last few months?

Messi and co. reaping rewards of direct approach

Their form, whilst largely down to their natural qualities, has also been helped by Luis Enrique's change in emphasis - which has seen sensational results.

Whilst under Pep Guardiola, the focus was very much on the midfield and the metronomes of Xavi and Iniesta, Luis Enrique's more direct, forward-thinking side has truly proved themselves unstoppable in the final few months of the campaign.

Not least because Barcelona are capable of perfecting multiple different styles. They're lethal on the counter-attack, as shown as the final minutes against Juve, whilst they are equally as capable to pass through the opposition, boasting sensational passers such as Ivan Rakitic and Iniesta. They have ample movement and intelligence up top to carve apart even the tightest of defences, whilst all three forwards are able to bring down a long ball from the likes of Jordi Alba.

It is their ability to mix it up which makes them so dangerous, combined with the fact that Messi, Suarez and Neymar possess so many individual qualities that make them not only a powerful collective, but a deadly mix of world-class players.

Where do MSN, and Barcelona, go from here?

MSN's contributions in Berlin, for the Blaugrana's fifth ever European triumph, ensures not only the latest chapter in Lionel Messi's ever-illustrious Camp Nou career, but the first chapter of what could prove to be a fruitful stay in Catalonia for Neymar and Luis Suarez.

Combined, the three were only prevented from scoring by just six sides in the league throughout the season. Malaga, Celta Vigo, Real Sociedad, Villarreal, Valencia and Getafe - though only the first two managed the feat twice. 

Now, having wrapped up the treble with La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League glory - the immediate intentions of Messi and Neymar will turn to the Copa America, whilst Suarez watches on from his living room due to his international ban.

But what comes after that? After such a stellar season for Barca, how do the trio return next year and better themselves? 

Their hunger is unquestionable and there is no doubt whatsoever that each of them will be full of desire to break more records, help win more games and lift more trophies - but whether they can maintain such superb form having yet to have a lengthy summer's rest for a number of years, is another obstacle which stands in their way.

That combined with the fact that Real Madrid will be desperate to improve after failing to pick up a domestic trophy last season, whilst their European rivals such as Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint Germain and the English teams - are all always looking to improve, hence the reason no-one has ever retained the European Cup since it was rebranded in 1992.

But yet, is there more still left in the tank for MSN? Whilst the 40 goals they managed in the first-half of the season is far from a shabby return - there is perhaps room for improvement in that respect and if Messi, Neymar and Suarez can all maintain such scintillating form throughout the season - then they could set a record perhaps never to be broken.

Added to the fact that the more time they spend in the same team, the the better they will get as a trio and Barcelona represent tough foes for the foreseeable future.

Unbeatable Barca?

There can be no doubt, however, that the seamless trio - who so easily interchange between each other and with their almost endless array of talents - can achieve what they want to achieve, so superior are their abilities, and that of their teammates, to much of their peers.

Whilst a lot of credit has to go to Barcelona's back-line, who ensured their side conceded just 38 goals in 60 games in all competitions, Enrique's side ultimately had their front-line to thank for such a sensational, and memorable, season.

So much so, that after just 12 months together as a front-three - many are talking them up to be the best of all time, if not better than all of Barca's previous front-threes - which including the likes of Samuel Eto'o, Thierry Henry, David Villa and more all in their primes.

But the statistics talk volumes. 122 goals is no mean feat, and their talents must be appreciated - because it is not all that often that such gifted players are amalgamated so finely. Unless you're Real Madrid, then they truly are a sight to behold.

With Messi, Suarez and Neymar leading the front, there's nothing to say that this Barcelona juggernaut can't become the greatest, and most successful side, of a generation.