Lionel Messi Luis Suarez Barcelona 2018-19

Messi's title talk has put pressure on Barcelona - Suarez

Luis Suarez admits the title challenges laid out by talismanic captain Lionel Messi have put Barcelona under pressure to deliver in 2018-19.

The Camp Nou giants restored domestic dominance last season, securing a La Liga and Copa del Rey double.

They have, however, gone three years without European glory, with arch-rivals Real Madrid enjoying an unprecedented run of success in Champions League competition.

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Messi is determined to end that sequence, while also defending a league title, and Suarez concedes it is now up to those around the mercurial Argentine to help deliver the desired success.

The Uruguayan striker said to RAC1: “Messi's already put the pressure on in terms of titles!

“But now it's up to us to perform on the pitch.

“After the Gamper game, we spoke about the pressure he had put us under. But that shows what Lionel is about, how desperate he is to win. I hope what he wished for comes true.”

Lionel Messi Barcelona

Messi will be expected to lead the Barca charge for more major silverware, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner having already recorded four goals this season.

Suarez is, however, aware that others are going to have to help carry the load if trophy challenges are to be sustained on multiple fronts.

He added on Messi’s relentless drive which rubs off on those around him: “He's really motivated, even more so after the World Cup and the Champions League.

“Now he's the captain, the leader and he wants to lift trophies. We have a quality team and a coach to be able to win everything.

“But it's a really difficult competition to win and [Messi] can't win it on his own. It has to be a collective effort, as good as he is. We have to be compact. Leo deserves more.

“Obviously it's infuriating [for us] because Madrid have won the Champions League in each of the last three years. They have made history and it's a thorn in our side.”

Barcelona have invested again in an effort to overhaul their Clasico foes, with Arthur, Arturo Vidal, Malcom and Clement Lenglet drafted in over the summer.

Malcom Barcelona Roma ICC 2018

The fresh faces are already making a positive impact, with Suarez impressed by the quality of those acquired by Ernesto Valverde.

The 31-year-old frontman said: “The signings fit Barca's profile in every sense.

“They're humble, hard-working and keep their heads down. Arthur aside, the rest know what European football is about.

“I've been surprised by the quality that Arthur and Lenglet have. Messi told me that Arthur reminds him of Xavi.

“Arturo Vidal would give his life for the team and Malcom's like [Juventus'] Douglas Costa when he was starting out.”

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