Monday 21 December 2015 20:51, UK
Barcelona can become the first-ever side to win back-to-back trebles, but only with a fully-fit Lionel Messi, says Graham Hunter.
Luis Enrique's side became the eighth side to win the treble - Champions League, domestic league and domestic cup - last season, and are top of La Liga going into the winter break this campaign.
They face Arsenal in the last 16 of the Champions League in February, and came through a five-game period without Messi relatively unscathed in autumn after the Argentina international's knee injury.
Hunter told Guillem Balague in their mid-season review: "My opinion from August is that Barcelona can win the double treble. It's not just available for them, I make them slight favourites to rip up football history.
"No side has even won the Champions League in consecutive seasons. But without Messi they cannot do that.
"Neymar and Suarez redoubled their work [when Messi was out], intensified their partnership, and their team defended all over the park.
"I saw them working hard. But were they better without Messi? No. When he came on in the Clasico, although he wasn't fit, did he make an impact? Yes. Are we seeing him reassuming his role but at a 90 per cent rate? Yes."
Hunter also praised Neymar for maturing following his exit from the Copa America through suspension in the summer, but says Luis Suarez's influence on the side has been greater.
"We've seen a maturity [from Neymar]. We've seen a new player. In the summer for Brazil he was bullied into reaction, pushed into reaction. Looking at him now he's sharper.
"But although he's maturing and learning from Messi, I think Suarez is the impact man.
"I remember when Edgar Davids went to Barcelona under Frank Rijkaard's team, and I watched players all around going: "Wow, that's what it takes to be a winner week in, week out".
"In my opinion, Suarez has had that exact catalyst impact, on Neymar in particular."
