Viva Barcelona!
BARCELONA, Spain — Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored first-half goals in a 3-0 win over Levante on Sunday, restoring Barcelona's nine-point lead of the Spanish league while it awaits the arrival of Philippe Coutinho. Messi marked his 400th appearance in La Liga by giving Barcelona the early lead and taking his all-time record in the competition to 365 goals. Suarez doubled the advantage before halftime and Messi set up Paulinho to round off the win in stoppage time. Such an emphatic victory comes as Barcelona's attacking threat is preparing for an additional injection of creativity with the 25-year-old Coutinho. The Camp Nou is anticipating the incorporation of the Brazil midfielder, who flew to Barcelona on Saturday. Barcelona said Coutinho has yet to meet with his new teammates and coach, although he did make an appearance at the stadium for a photo session after Sunday's match.
"This is like living a dream," Coutinho told the club's website. "It's incredible to know that I am going to play with my idols, players who have made history. Players like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, (Andres) Iniesta, (Gerard) Pique, (Sergio) Busquets... I am happy to be able to live with and learn from them, and to win titles."
Coutinho will be officially presented Monday after a transfer deal that could reach 160 million euros ($192 million).
"(Coutinho) is a player who I think can bring many things to the team," Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. "He scores goals and provides assists, and in attack he can help us a lot."