'Messi, Suarez & Neymar should be Ballon d'Or trio' - Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu believes forwards Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar should be 2015's Ballon d'Or top three.

The attacking trio played an integral role in the Catalans' treble triumph last season, scoring a record-breaking 122 goals between them.

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the last two Ballon d'Or awards but Bartomeu does not think the Real Madrid ace should even make the shortlist for 2015.

"Messi, Suarez and Neymar deserve to be the finalists for the Fifa Ballon d'Or," the Blaugrana supremo stated on Wednesday.

Neither Suarez nor Neymar have ever previously made the final three for the Ballon d'Or, but Messi has won the prestigious prize on four previous occasions.

Messi bagged 58 goals in 57 games during the 2014-15 campaign and is currently considered the favourite to lift this year's trophy.

Josep Maria Bartomeu welcomes back Messi, Mascherano, Neymar, Alves and Bravo

The president of FC Barcelona, Josep Maria Bartomeu, welcomed back Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano, Neymar, Dani Alves and Claudio Bravo, the five players who took part in the 2015 Copa América and therefore did not take part in the recent US tour.

Vice president Jordi Mestre was also there to greet the players on Monday at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. It was the first day of pre-season that coach Luis Enrique was able to bring together all the members of his first team squad.

After being chosen as president in the elections on 18 July, Bartomeu headed to the United States to accompany the squad on their pre-season tour. There, he coincided with the majority of the squad who last season claimed the treble and on Monday he was able to welcome back international players Messi, Mascherano, Neymar, Alves and Bravo.

Joan Laporta: "Barcelona has been 'sold to Qatar'"

Joan Laporta has reiterated that he will not give up his bid to reclaim control of FC Barcelona, stating that he cannot stand by and allow the club to be "sold to Qatar".

The former Blaugrana president failed to usurp current incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu in last month's elections but says that he remains determined to oust his fellow Catalan.

Laporta explained that he has numerous issues with Laporta's administration, including the ongoing association with Qatar Sports Investments, as well as the fact that Barca have yet to launch an appeal against Uefa's decision to fine the club €30,000 for supporters being in possession of pro-Catalan independence flags at May's Champions League final.

"We will not give up," the 53-year-old told reporters. "And for many reasons, such as having a board that complies with penalties for having Catalan flags in Berlin.

"I will continue fighting. Because of this president, the club has been processed for the first time in its history.

"I will continue to to fight so that the club is no longer sold to Qatar.

"The current club model is unsustainable on an athletic, social and economic level.

"I said on the day of the elections that I will not give up and that I will keep fighting so that Barcelona belongs to everyone. We will continue to defend that model."

Laporta previously served as Barca president between 2003 and 2010, during which time the club won four Liga titles and two Champions Leagues.

Bartomeu: "We want to win all six trophies next season"

Barça club president Josep Maria Bartomeu spoke at a presentation ceremony for the Bill and Melinda Gates Fund, giving his thoughts on last season: "It was fantastic for us, a marvellous season, the best in our history. We won everything and with great statistics too."

"It was the second time we have won the treble - La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey - and all of the city was very content and happy."

He also spoke on the objectives for the new season: "This year we intend to work with the same team, but also with players who can give us more competition inside the squad, like Arda and Vidal."
"In our opinion, our team is going to be more competitive. This year we have to go for six trophies and we want to win them all. It is not going to be easy, but we are going to try and do it."