5 of Lionel Messi's best teammates at Barcelona

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi<p>

#3 Dani Alves

FC Barcelona v CA Osasuna - La Liga
FC Barcelona v CA Osasuna - La Liga

Dani Alves and Lionel Messi shared a telepathic connection on the right-wing for Barcelona over the eight years that they played together. Dani Alves had no problem shuttling up and down the right flank for Barcelona and that gave Messi the freedom to stay up and also drift inside.

His chemistry with Lionel Messi was unbelievable, with the duo combining for some excellent exchanges, playing the filthiest of one-twos and leaving defenders on their backsides for fun. Alves had a knack for finding Lionel Messi in and around the final third and he has assisted 26 goals for the Argentine in La Liga alone.

There were a lot of factors that came together to enable Barcelona's domination in Europe, especially under Pep Guardiola, and the interplay between Dani Alves and Lionel Messi was a critical part of it.

#2 Andres Iniesta

Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta
Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta

Don Andres has had an incredibly illustrious career and he has won the lot. Lionel Messi is often linked closely with Xavi as they shared the same side of the pitch but the connection that he shared with Andres Iniesta was on another level.

Iniesta and Messi have played across various roles and despite all the changes that they have had going around them, their effectiveness never suffered. While Xavi and Busquets played holding roles, it was Iniesta who had the freedom to roam into the final third and pick out those killer passes.

Iniesta and Messi are two of the finest on-ball technicians we have seen since the turn of the century and as such, their link-up play was always a treat to watch. Their quick one-twos, tricks and flicks have left many defenders swiping at thin air and ending up on their behinds.

It was one of the most beautiful link-ups we have ever seen and that's why Andres Iniesta is so high up on this list.

#1 Luis Suarez

Barcelona v Real Madrid - La Liga
Barcelona v Real Madrid - La Liga

Lionel Messi has never enjoyed as prolific and as effective a striking partnership with anybody as he has with Luis Suarez. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were unstoppable and they're one of the best attacking trios in the history of the game.

After overcoming the initial hitches, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi clicked in their natural roles; the Uruguayan playing down the centre and Messi operating on the right side of the pitch. They combined in lethal fashion, scoring goals for fun and striking up a great friendship both on and off the field.

Suarez broke Dani Alves' record for most league assists to Messi and the Argentine has, in turn, assisted Suarez 39 times in the La Liga. With Lionel Messi working alongside him, Luis Suarez won the Pichichi trophy, scoring 40 goals in a season and beating Cristiano Ronaldo to the coveted prize.

Lionel Messi was extremely disappointed with the manner in which Luis Suarez was iced out of the club and why wouldn't he be? His partnership with Luis Suarez is one for the ages with the duo playing some unreal football together and when they were in the mood, defenders didn't stand a chance.

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