Is it possible that the loss of Neymar actually helped Barcelona improve? Lionel Messi seems to think so, as the Barca side are still unbeaten and 11 points clear atop La Liga.
Messi and Neymar
Spanish giants, FC Bacelona lost its superstar player, Neymar in the off-season after French giants, Paris Saint-Germain sensationally activated his €222million release clause in August.
Neymar was a key member of Barca's famed 'MSN' forward trio, alongside Messi and Luis Suarez, helping the club to two La Liga titles and the Champions League among others.
But five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, said Barca who are unbeaten and 11 points clear atop the table, are better without the Brazil star.
While speaking with World Soccer, Messi said: "Without Neymar we are more balanced. His departure meant a change in our way of playing, we lost a lot of attacking potential, but it helped in the defensive sense. We are currently very well armed in the midfield; this makes us stronger in defence."
Barca are also preparing for the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will meet Chelsea for a spot in the quarter-finals.
However, Messi believes another English side, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, are the team to watch, along with PSG.
"Manchester City are one of the strongest teams in the world at the moment. The same goes for PSG," the Argentina attacker said.
"However, there's a lot of football still to play and I don't rule out Real Madrid yet as they have a lot of quality and experience. Then there's Bayern Munich, another great team who will fight till the end. But right now, City and PSG are the best."