Luis Suarez shows he is still the world’s best No9 as he becomes Barcelona’s leader in Lionel Messi’s absence

Luis Suarez seems to thrive in a leadership role. Be it for his national team, at Liverpool or now at Barcelona, the Uruguayan appears to be in his element when he has added responsibility. And in the absence of Lionel Messi through injury, he has stepped up more than anyone else.

Since the Argentine fractured his right arm against Sevilla two weeks ago, Suarez has scored six of Barcelona’s twelve goals in four wins in La Liga and the Champions League (not including the Copa del Rey win against Segunda B side Cultural Leonesa in which he did not play on Wednesday), while assisting another. In that time, he has led from the front and on Saturday, he helped the Catalans to another vital victory.

Barca were 2-0 up against Sevilla when Messi went off. Suarez scored a penalty later in that match, before setting up Rafinha with a sublime pass in the 2-0 win over Inter, bagging a hat-trick in the 5-1 victory against Real Madrid last Sunday and then netting two more as the champions came back from 2-1 down to beat Rayo Vallecano 3-2 in the capital on Saturday.

On this form, he is still the world’s best centre-forward and despite doubts over his form over the past year or so, there is no striker as good when he is on song. And when it has mattered most, he has produced.

That is nothing new. While Neymar was at the club, many looked to the Brazilian for inspiration when Messi was missing through injury or suspension. But so often it was Suarez who delivered the goods.

On Saturday, his goals bookmarked a valuable victory. The 31-year-old opened the scoring early in the game to set the Catalans on their way to what looked like a routine win, before popping up in the final minute to complete a memorable comeback which was very much in his image: competitive, never-say-die, spirited, intense.

Luis Enrique sold Alexis Sanchez to Arsenal and brought Suarez to the club in the summer of 2014 and immediately, the Uruguayan gave Barca not only goals, but guts. He is the first line of defence, his mentality an inspiration to all of those around him.

Against Madrid (below), it looked like Barca had not missed Messi. But Barca always miss Messi. “We miss him,” Valverde admitted afterwards. “And we hope he recovers quickly because we need him.”

And he added: “When Leo is out, the team has to work harder.” That is certainly true and Suarez is the epitome of that fight and that effort in the Argentine’s absence.

“We all play better with Lionel,” Valverde said on Saturday night after seeing his side come from 2-1 down with four minutes left to win 3-2 as substitute Ousmane Dembele levelled before Suarez sealed a super win, albeit one which was harsh on Rayo, which sees Barca move five points clear at the top. In a league of surprises, the Catalans’ consistency remains one constant this term – even without their finest footballer.

Messi returned to training on Wednesday and might be back to face Inter Milan at San Siro on Tuesday. “We still don’t know,” Valverde said. But if not, he can rest assured that Suarez will be ready to assume the responsibility again.