Follow the major changes at the Nou Camp in our FREE Barca newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Barcelona's success comes firstly from their team ethic - and not their individual superstars.

But Mourinho has confessed it is much easier to win when the star qualities of Lionel Messi , Neymar and co shine through.

Messi has won 26 senior titles in his illustrious career, but Mourinho says that his success on the pitch is aided by the whole of the team.

"First of all it's about individual players," he said in an interview with BT Sport .

"Just to give you an example, Messi won the Champions League with three different managers.

LIVE: Barcelona vs Arsenal Champions League live updates

(Image: AFP/Getty)

"I think it's easier to win with him, than against him. I am a football team manager. I know that sometimes people think that the individual is more important than the team.

"But when I feel that it is time for me to take a permanent holiday - I still think that the team is more important than anything.

"But the obvious reality is that there are some players who can make a difference."

(Image: Shaun Botterill) (Image: Reuters)

Messi will be hoping to inspire Barcelona into the last eight of the Champions League when they host Arsenal on Wednesday night.

The Argentinian magician netted a brace in the first leg to give the Catalans a commanding lead.

Away goals mean that Arsenal will have to score at least two goals if they are to stand any chance of progressing.