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THREE KINGS

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar or Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema? Football’s best attacks

Barcelona's established frontline has terrorised defenders for past two-and-a-half seasons, but is is still strongest around?

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BARCELONA’S front three are generally considered the best attacking line in the world.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez have been an almost unstoppable forced over the past two seasons — winning seven of the nine trophies available.

Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (L) celebrates his goal with Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) and Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar (R) during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg football match FC Barcelona vs Arsenal FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 16, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGOJOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images
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Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar are one of most feared trios in world footballCredit: Getty Images

But the trio’s position as the undisputed kings of the forward line is under threat with the emergence of several other impressive strikeforces.


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Just in the Premier League alone, two have emerged in recent weeks to lay down markers ahead of the most open title challenge in years.

Here are the top ten front threes in the world.

Lionel Messi, Neymar, Luis Suarez — Barcelona

Barcelona's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi (C) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Barcelona's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (L) and Barcelona's Brazilian striker Neymar during the UEFA Champions League group C football match between Manchester City and Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England on November 1, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFFOLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images
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Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have netted staggering 33 goals this seasonCredit: Getty Images

THIS front three will still take some beating.

Between them, they have scored a staggering 33 goals so far this campaign.

Barcelona sit second in La Liga and top of their Champions League group.

Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller — Bayern Munich

MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 24: Robert Lewandowski (L) of Bayern Muenchen celebrates scoring his teams second goal with team mates Thomas Mueller and Arjen Robben during the UEFA Champions League group F match between FC Bayern Munchen and Olympiacos FC at the Allianz Arena on November 24, 2015 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben are up front for BayernCredit: Getty Images

CARLO ANCELOTTI hasn’t half worked with some superstar players.

Throw into the mix the likes of Franck Ribery, Douglas Costa and Kingsley Coman — and Bayern have to be a good bet to win the Champions League this season.

Robben, Lewandowski and Muller, who is currently on a barren run, have netted a total of 21 in all competitions.

Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho — Liverpool

Britain Football Soccer - Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier League - Selhurst Park - 29/10/16 Liverpool's Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
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Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are on fire for LiverpoolCredit: Reuters

JURGEN KLOPP’S exciting frontline is carrying them men from Anfield to top of the table.

Liverpool may have only kept one clean sheet all season, but they don’t need to with this trio’s scoring prowess.

Between them, they have scored 18 as the Reds sit one point clear at Premier League’s summit.

Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling — Manchester City

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Kevin de Bruyne (C) of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mates Raheem Sterling (L) and Sergio Aguero (R) during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero for Manchester CityCredit: Getty Images

STERLING has been re-born under Pep Guardiola.

While De Bruyne and Aguero have gone from strength-to-strength as City sit just two points behind Liverpool in third place.

Between them, they have scored 22 goals as the Citizens continue to push in the Premier League and Champions League.

Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo — Real Madrid

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 20: Gareth Bale (R) of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring with his teammates Karims Benzema (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo (C) during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Sevilla FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 20, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Castillo/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
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 Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have been relatively quiet this seasonCredit: Getty Images

IT’S not been the most electrifying start by the European champions’ first-choice front three.

Between them, they have netted just 19 goals this season.

But you would still fancy them to have a big say on the destination of the biggest trophies at the end of the season.

Marco Asensio, Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vazquez — Real Madrid

LEON, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Marcos Asensio (R) of Real Madrid celebrates with Alvaro Morata after scoring their team's fourth goal during the Copa del Rey round of 32 first leg match between Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Reino de Leon on October 26, 2016 in Leon, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
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Marco Asensio and Alvaro Morata have impressed when called upon this seasonCredit: Getty Images
Real Madrid's midfielder Marco Asensio (L) celebrates a goal with Real Madrid's midfielder Lucas Vazquez during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) round of 32 first leg football match between Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa and Real Madrid at the Reino de Leon stadium in Leon, on October 26, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSOCESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images
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Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez have been revelations for Real MadridCredit: Getty Images

IS THE establishment under threat at the Bernabeu?

With injuries taking their toll on Real Madrid’s star men, their ‘reserves’ have stepped up to the plate.

Between them, they have scored 15 times in all competitions.

Mario Mandzukic, Miralem Pjanic, Gonzalo Higuain — Juventus

Juventus' forward from Croatia Mario Mandzukic (L) celebrates with Juventus' forward from Argentina Gonzalo Higuain after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match Chievo Verona vs Juventus at "Bentegodi Stadium" in Verona on November 6, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACEGIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
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Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain provide firepower for JuventusCredit: Getty Images
Football Soccer - Chievo Verona v Juventus - Italian Serie A - Bentegodi stadium, Verona, Italy - 6/11/16 - Juventus' Miralem Pjanic (R) celebrates after scoring. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
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Miralem Pjanic has made a massive contribution to Juventus since joining from RomaCredit: Reuters

LEADERS in Serie A and many people’s dark horses for the Champions League this season.

The sale of Paul Pogba financed the signings of Pjanic and Higuain.

The trio have impressed this season, with a total of 15 goals scored between them.

Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Pedro — Chelsea

Chelsea's Eden Hazard celebrate scoring his side's third goal of the game with teammate Diego Costa (right) during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday October 23, 2016. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
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Diego Hazard and Diego Costa have been sensational for Chelsea recentlyCredit: PA:Press Association
Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Pedro celebrates after scoring their fifth goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge in London on November 5, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Ben STANSALL / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
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Pedro has turned it around at Chelsea and become vital member of the attackCredit: Getty Images

THE other Premier League trio was has sprung out of nowhere to spearhead an unexpected title challenge.

Hazard, Costa and Pedro are benefiting from a change in system — and have developed an almost telepathic relationship.

Between them, they have scored 18 times, with ten coming in the last four league games.

Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani, Lucas Moura — Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Moura (C) is congratulated by his teamates Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (R), after he scored a goal during the French League Cup quarter final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Lyon (OL) on January 13, 2016 at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris. AFP PHOTO / THOMAS SAMSON / AFP / THOMAS SAMSON (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images)
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Angel Di Maria, Edinson Cavani and Lucas Moura make up PSG's stellar attackCredit: Getty Images

ARGUABLY more balanced with Cavani in the middle rather than on the wing to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Di Maria and Moura don’t score enough goals, but they work well to help the Uruguayan powerhouse.

The trio have scored 22 times so far this campaign — though Cavani has 15 of them.

Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez — Arsenal

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: (2ndR) Theo Walcott celebrates scoring the 1st Arsenal goal with (L) Alexis Sanchez and (R) Mesut Ozil during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on February 14, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil are starring for Arsenal this seasonCredit: Getty Images

THE quick-fire trio have helped the Gunners recovered from another tough start to the season.

Walcott, in particular, looks set to enjoy his best season in Arsenal shirt after a brilliant goal scoring return.

Between them, they have scored 23 in all competitions.

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