Top 5 highest-scoring duos in the 21st century

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the greatest footballers of all time
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the greatest footballers of all time

#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (60) & Karim Benzema (32) | 92 goals, Real Madrid 2011-12

Real Madrid vs Galatasaray - Santiago Bernabeu Trophy
Real Madrid vs Galatasaray - Santiago Bernabeu Trophy

In what proved to be a record-breaking season for Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho's side were rampant on their way to winning the La Liga title. The Portuguese tactician made Real Madrid extremely hard to beat, while they were devastating on the counter-attack with Cristiano Ronaldo as the focal point of the attack.

The former Manchester United man was joined by Karim Benzema upfront, as the pair combined to magnificent effect to score a staggering 90 goals between them. Real Madrid won the title by notching up 100 points, as they broke Barcelona's points record of 99 from the 2010-11 season.

Los Blancos also broke several other records in what proved to be a historic season, but they failed to make their dominance count in the UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey.


#2 Lionel Messi (58) & Neymar (39) | 97 goals, Barcelona 2014-15

FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad de Futbol - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad de Futbol - La Liga

At the start of the 2014-15 season, Barcelona made two important moves that went on to shape a new era at the club. The Catalan giants signed Liverpool striker Luis Suarez in a big-money deal, as the Uruguayan was earmarked as the chosen one to play alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.

Secondly, former club captain Luis Enrique was appointed as the club's manager, as he returned to the Camp Nou after a fruitful spell with Celta Vigo. His first season turned out to be an unwavering success, as Barcelona completed the treble by blowing teams out of the water.

Suarez's addition turned out to be a masterstroke, but it was Neymar who was Lionel Messi's partner in crime that season. The Brazilian superstar notched up 39 goals in all competitions, while Messi had his hand in 58. The trio were fondly referred to as MSN and are widely regarded as one of the greatest attacking triumvirates in football history.


#1 Luis Suarez (59) & Lionel Messi (41) | 100 goals, 2015-16 Barcelona

FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - La Liga

Luis Suarez's goalscoring record has always been unbelievably good, but the Uruguayan striker reached new heights in the 2015-16 season. With 59 goals to his name, he comfortably managed to outscore every player in world football, as he won the Pichichi and the European Golden Boot.

Lionel Messi, despite not enjoying his best season at the club, scored a cool 41 goals, as Barcelona completed yet another domestic double. They didn't reach the heights of their treble-winning season in 2014-15, but Enrique's side added two more pieces of silverware to their growing trophy cabinet.

With 100 goals, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored more goals between them that season than any other duo in the 21st century.


Also Read: 5 players who have been linked with summer moves to Real Madrid

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Edited by Vishal Subramanian
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