5 highest scoring trios of the 21st century

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were part of world-class attacking trios
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were part of world-class attacking trios

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (60), Karim Benzema (32), Gonzalo Higuain (26) | Real Madrid | 2011/12

Real Madrid won the league in 2012
Real Madrid won the league in 2012

Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid pipped Pep Guardiola's Barcelona to the league title in the 2011/12 season, with Los Blancos' attack of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain in full flow.

Real Madrid recorded 100 points to clinch the La Liga title, but faltered in the Champions League, as they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Bayern Munich. While much of the focus was on Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Higuain were excellent forwards who proved to be a good foil for the Portuguese.

While Higuain departed Real Madrid in 2013, Ronaldo and Benzema played crucial roles under Zinedine Zidane. Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018 and Benzema continues to be one of Real Madrid's most important players.


#2 Lionel Messi (58), Neymar (39), Luis Suarez (25) | Barcelona | 2014/15

Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi in Barcelona colors
Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi in Barcelona colors

Barcelona won a historic treble in the 2014-15 season under the management of Luis Enrique, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez proving to be a formidable attacking trio.

Suarez joined Barcelona that season for a fee of £73.5 million from Liverpool but missed the start of the season, having been banned for biting Giorgio Chiellini in the World Cup. However, the Uruguayan international proved to be a smart buy, with his partnership with Lionel Messi and Neymar taking Barcelona to new heights.

The three attackers enjoyed good chemistry on the field. Among the best players in world football, the 2014/15 season was the beginning of a fruitful and formidable attack which was dubbed the 'MSN'.


#1 Luis Suarez (59), Lionel Messi (41), Neymar (31) | Barcelona | 2015/16

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar celebrate a goal
Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar celebrate a goal

As mentioned above, Luis Suarez's acquisition was a clever one despite the fee, and the Uruguayan showed his class and quality in the 2015/16 season.

Suarez scored 59 goals in all competitions in just 53 appearances, winning the Pichichi Trophy as well as the European Golden Shoe. Barcelona won La Liga again, but were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid.

While Messi, Suarez and Neymar deservedly get credit for Barcelona's success under the management of Enrique, the likes of Gerard Pique, Dani Alves, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta all played crucial roles for the Catalans.


Also Read: 10 best finishers in world football right now

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Edited by Vishal Subramanian
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