Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitić has shared insights into why Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar's iconic trio secured just one UEFA Champions League title during their time together. Rakitić, who played alongside them for six seasons, highlighted Neymar's 2017 departure and a dip in team hunger as key factors. The group dominated with 364 goals and 173 assists over four seasons, winning nine trophies.
Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar formed one of the greatest attacking trios in soccer history at FC Barcelona, dominating from 2014 to 2017. Despite their prowess, the MSN trio lifted only the 2015 UEFA Champions League trophy together. Ivan Rakitić, the Croatian midfielder who spent six seasons at the club and contributed to that 2015 success, recently discussed the reasons behind the limited European haul in an interview on The Rest Is Football YouTube channel following his retirement announcement.
Rakitić praised the attacking unit, saying, “Just enjoy. Already bad passes are good passes. It was an attack that European football will never have again. They’re big players, and the ones that can do the difference, with this attack it was something really special.” He acknowledged the team's achievements but lamented missed opportunities: “That’s why I like to say that we won a lot, but normally it could’ve been much more. It was a bit of a shame for us that we didn’t get even more titles.”
Pointing to pivotal moments, Rakitić identified Neymar's transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 as a turning point. “I think, first of all, we had to do everything to push Neymar to stay with us. That was the first step, and then finally just get in every game at 100%. I think at the highest level, if you just grow down a little bit, you’re in big problems,” he explained. The team suffered consecutive Champions League quarterfinal exits, losing to Atlético Madrid in 2016 and Juventus in 2017.
Over their four seasons, the trio combined for 364 goals and 173 assists, helping Barcelona secure nine trophies. Yet Rakitić suggested complacency played a role: “Maybe it’s not the right word, but we got a bit ‘bored of winning,’ or not being hungry at 100%. I think finally, finishing this six years in Barcelona, it’s hard to say ‘only one Champions League’, but I think it could’ve been two or three quite easily.” He added, “Looking back a little bit I think it could’ve gone much better for us, but this is also the good part of football.”