Alcacer rules out Barca exit despite competition from 'best' Messi, Suarez and Neymar

Paco Alcacer has paid tribute to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar despite the trio providing fierce competition for places at Barcelona.

The Spain international moved to Camp Nou in the summer of 2016 aware of the situation he was getting himself into.

Starting berths were always going to be hard to come by in a star-studded squad, with Alcacer acknowledging that his team-mates are among the finest on the planet.

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He told Marca: "I have the best striker in the world ahead of me, to the right the best player in the world and on the left the best in the near future.

“It is very complicated and I have to work day to day to be prepared when [I have] the opportunity to play.

“I feel privileged to participate and I hope I will not get out of it for many years. I'm very happy.

“To tell people that I played with Leo, Luis and Ney is something that few players can say. The images that I can have with them will be very nice for the future."

Playing Surface

Alcacer could have been forgiven for contemplating another move after just 12 months at Camp Nou, but he insists no such thoughts have crossed his mind.

Instead, he is looking to kick on in 2017-18 after ending his debut campaign with a flurry of goals – having previously taken until December to open his account in a Copa del Rey clash with Hercules.

The £26.5 million signing from Valencia added: “Did I ever think about leaving Barca? Never, and I don't plan to leave.

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“The club took a chance on me and I'll try to be here for a long time, working hard and improving as a player.

“A feeling of relief after my first goal? Yes, because I'd been on a fairly long run without one. The result and opponents didn't matter. 

“I needed to score because ultimately it was a release, not only for me but also any striker on such a negative run. I had to score, even if it was with my backside!”

Alcacer ended the season with eight goals to his name, with that return managed in 17 games through to the end of the campaign.