THE MOST FEARSOME ATTACKING TRIOS OF THE 21ST CENTURY
MSN
MSN, the trio of Messi, Suárez and Neymar, is regarded as one of the most fearsome and creative attacking lines in football history. The South American super trio played together at FC Barcelona between 2014 and 2017, and during those three seasons, they completely rewrote the football record books.
Over the three years, they scored a combined 364 goals and provided 173 assists for each other, an almost unfathomable level of efficiency on a per game basis.
At most star studded clubs, rivalries develop between attacking players, but the secret behind MSN was their complete selflessness and their close friendship off the pitch.
Messi would cut inside from the right, controlling the game and dictating the tempo. Suárez, as a classic and ruthless number nine, constantly occupied the centre backs and created space for his teammates, while Neymar used his unpredictable dribbling and pace on the left to tear opposing defences apart.
They would often even give up clear cut chances or penalties to each other, simply so that all three could score in the same match. The trio finally broke up in the summer of 2017, when Paris Saint Germain paid Neymars 222 million release clause.
BBC
BBC, the trio of Benzema, Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, was Real Madrid's answer to Barcelonas MSN and one of the most successful and fastest attacking lines in football history. The three terrorised Europe for five seasons between 2013 and 2018, and although they were slightly behind their Catalan rivals in individual statistics, they ruthlessly outperformed them when it came to trophies.
During their years together, they formed one of the most physically dominant attacking machines in European football, producing incredible numbers, 442 goals and more than 220 assists across those five seasons.
While MSN were more prolific in Spanish domestic football, BBC were the undisputed kings of the Champions League. In five years, they won 13 trophies.
The super trio broke up in the summer of 2018, when Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Juventus. After his departure, Benzema became the team's main goalscorer and later won the Ballon dor after leading Real Madrid to another Champions League triumph.
The United Trio
Manchester Uniteds fearsome attacking trio consisted of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. Although the trio played together for just two seasons, between 2007 and 2009, that period produced the most successful era in the clubs modern history under Sir Alex Ferguson.
During those two extraordinary seasons, they scored 140 goals between them.
The trio did not play in traditional positions. Ferguson built an extremely fluid system around them, with the three constantly switching positions and completely confusing opposing defences.
The trio broke up immediately after the 2009 Champions League final in Rome. Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid for a world record fee, while Carlos Tevez left for city rivals Manchester City.
The Liverpool Trio
Liverpools fearsome attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino was one of the most influential and intense attacking lines of the modern era. Under Jürgen Klopp, the trio helped restore Liverpool to the very top of world football and fundamentally changed the balance of power in the Premier League between 2017 and 2022.
The three played together at the highest level for five seasons, scoring a combined 338 goals while striking fear into some of Europe's strongest defences. In the end, they won everything possible at club level with Liverpool, including the league title most coveted by the supporters.
The trios era came to an end in the summer of 2022, when Sadio Mané moved to Bayern Munich. A year later, in 2023, Roberto Firmino also left the club, and by now Salah has said goodbye to Anfield as well.