The Barcelona pairing of Luis Suarez and Neymar are in serious competition for second and third place, and Barcelona could clean-sweep the award as they did in 2010, with Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
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Neymar then effectively put the match to bed in the 53rd minute with his 14th goal in 12 league appearances so far this campaign.
“The coaches aren’t the ones who win games, it’s the top-quality players that Barcelona have in their ranks that do”.
After showing no adverse signs to the knee injury in his last two matches, manager Luis Enrique is expected to start with Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez for the first time since the 2-1 win over Las Palmas on September 26. On Saturday, he played a little more than half an hour as a second-half substitute in Barcelona’s memorable 4-0 win at Real Madrid, looking threatening as ever despite not scoring.
After the half-time, defender Gerard Pique extended the lead to 4-0 in the 56th minute of the game. Adriano capped the demolition before Edin Dzeko got Roma’s consolation. We displayed good sensations and [this performance] is the way forward for us. Messi made a triumphant come back as well as he also made two goals and dished out one assist.
Neymar and Barcelona will next be in action on Wednesday when they host second division side Villanovense in Copa del Rey action.
Neymar opened the scoring with his 15th goal of the season after 23 minutes when he turned home the cross of fellow Brazilian Dani Alves.
“The people were waiting for Messi to return and we’re all happy that he scored”, acknowledged Suarez.
“I hope that can happen, but it’s not something that we are going to obsess over”, he told Daily Mail’s Pete Jenson. “When you see the players enjoy themselves in every phase of the game you have to be satisfied”, Barca coach Luis Enrique said.
Last season, the trio hit a Spanish record 122 goals as Barca won the treble and now they have 125 – and counting – this calendar year after a double from Neymar and a goal each from Suarez and Messi against Sociedad.
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“We have never said that ourselves and it has been proved”, Messi said.
