Lionel Messi's 'fat man' joke to Luis Suarez started perfect Neymar partnership
Luis Suarez has revealed Lionel Messi's "fat man" jibe at Barcelona led to the start of the formidable 'MSN' partnership alongside Neymar.
Suarez scored 195 goals in 283 appearances during his six years at the Nou Camp, winning 13 major trophies including one Champions League and four La Liga titles. It was during the Uruguayan's time in Spain that he was part of the famous forward line alongside Messi and Neymar.
The trio of Messi, Suarez, and Neymar spanned three seasons from 2014-17, between Suarez's £75million move from Liverpool to Neymar's £200m exit to Paris Saint-Germain. During the trio's time as the superstar front three for Barca, the Spanish giants won the Champions League in 2015, defeating Juventus in the final. Both Suarez and Neymar were on the scoresheet in a 3-1 victory for Luis Enrique's team.
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It was during the road to the Champions League final in Suarez's first season at the Camp Nou that he says the bond between himself, Neymar, and Messi began to flourish. Suarez, who went on to score 25 goals with 23 assists in his debut campaign at Barca, has revealed the nickname that Messi gave him as a joke ahead of a group game against Ajax that took place in 2014.
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"Luis Enrique wanted Messi to play as a false nine because he was used to that position and Neymar and I were on the flanks, but he saw that it didn’t work," Suarez said in an interview with Clank! "Messi told me, ‘Oh fat man, stay in the nine position, and I’ll open the pitch for you on the right side.’ And that’s the start of the MSN.”
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Since leaving Barcelona, both Messi and Suarez have ventured down rather different paths. Messi left the Nou Camp in 2021 to sign for Paris Saint-Germain, where he would go on to spend two seasons before signing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer back in June. Suarez signed for Atletico Madrid in 2020 and would win the La Liga title in his first year. The former Liverpool striker has since gone on to return to his homeland and play for Uruguayan club Nacional, before moving to Brazil with Gremio in January.
Suarez initially signed a two-year deal with Gremio, but recently agreed to end his stay in Brazil a year early. That has led to rumours that the 36-year-old will link up with Messi in Miami. According to The Athletic, a deal is being finalised for Suarez to sign a one-year deal with Inter Miami for the 2024 MLS season. Should a deal be completed, Suarez would reunite with several of his former Barcelona teammates including Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, as well as Messi.
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