Luis Suarez will never put in a display as good as the one Lionel Messi produced on Sunday night. Few players have and few ever will. That is no shame. Messi is arguably the greatest player of all time, and against Deportivo de La Coruna, he decided to show it.
This was one of those matches where Messi could not be stopped. They don't come around as often as perhaps his manager, Luis Enrique, would like, but when they do, there's nothing to do but sit back and enjoy the show.
Like against Sevilla earlier in the season and against Atletico Madrid last weekend, Messi played like a man possessed. He was everywhere, all over the field, recovering the ball in his own half, starting attacks in the middle of the pitch and then finishing them deep into the box.
Messi was both the brains behind the team and the weapon with which it attacked or rather battered its opponent into submission. Most players aren't capable of that. They choose one way or the other and try to become very good in either discipline. Messi excels at both.
Suarez could have no better team-mate to play with. Neymar is the pefect example. In the 4-0 win against Deportivo, he still produced an excellent individual display, bewildering the defence with his snake-like movement and quick feet, but also tied into what Messi was doing.
Neymar set up the second for Messi, even if Suarez de facto claimed the assist. It was Neymar's ball across that was bungled by Suarez, but Messi reached it and lifted it effortlessly over the onrushing goalkeeper.
It was similar to a goal scored against Atletico last week, which saw Messi feed the ball across, Suarez mishit it and Neymar stab home to put Barcelona ahead against the Spanish champions.
Barcelona fans might be able to take a positive from that; even when Suarez is messing up chances, he is still creating goals for his team-mates.
Another positive is that the team are winning, and the attack looks dangerous despite his poor form. So just imagine what it will be like when the Uruguayan really hits top gear.
Suarez fluffed two amazing chances against Deportivo. The first he hit wide of the near post from close range, stunned himself that he hadn't manage to make the net bulge. The second saw him react a little sluggishly and the goalkeeper closed him down.
Towards the end we got a glimpse of the real Luis Suarez. A vicious turn inside a defender and a venomous low drive which was tipped away were just a sign of what bubbles underneath Suarez's skin.
It seems quite common that players from the Premier League find it harder to adjust to life in La Liga than vice versa. Just look at how Alexis Sanchez, Diego Costa, Angel Di Maria and Co. are faring so far this season.
And furthermore, Suarez doesn't just have to adjust to playing in the Spanish league, but life at Barcelona and the various madnesses that come with it.
Few strikers have instantly clicked after signing. It may take awhile for Suarez to start functioning. But with Messi by his side—Neymar too—he has plenty of support.
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