Ranking 5 greatest forwards who partnered Lionel Messi at club level

#3 Neymar (Barcelona and PSG)

Neymar left Barcelona to escape Lionel Messi's shadow

Neymar has had the luxury of playing alongside Lionel Messi at two different clubs, following the latter's shock move to PSG earlier this summer. The two best-mates were reunited after a period of four years, with the Brazilian being one of the principal factors behind Lionel Messi's switch to France.

Fending off serious interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona triumphantly secured Neymar's signature in 2013 for a reported fee of €88.2 million. At the time of his signing, the flamboyant playmaker was a highly sought-after prodigy with overwhelming potential.

In his four years with the Catalan giants, Neymar made 186 appearances, with 161 of them coming alongside Lionel Messi. Having played 12,716 minutes together, the two forwards were part of arguably the deadliest attacking trio alongside Luis Suarez. With La Pulga now aged 34, it will be interesting to see how the two combine for the second time at PSG.

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#2 Ronaldinho (Barcelona)

Ronaldinho defined his career at Barcelona

In a rare case where the apprentice has thoroughly surpassed his master, Lionel Messi was once Ronaldinho's protege in his initial years. The Brazilian maestro was pivotal in establishing Barcelona's dominance in the late 2000s, all the while nurturing the raw talent of Messi.

Initially a consolation signing following Barcelona's failure to acquire David Beckham in 2003, Ronaldinho's unprecedented stature quickly made him a fan favorite. His most iconic moment in a Blaugrana shirt has to be his dazzling performance against Real Madrid in 2005, which compelled the crowd at the Bernabeu to give him a standing ovation.

Having made his debut for Barcelona in 2005, Lionel Messi got to spend three years learning from the Brazilian maestro. During the said period, the duo played for a total of 80 games. It is the impact that Ronaldinho had on a young Messi that lands him so high on this list. The Brazilian legend was instrumental in turning Lionel Messi into the player that we know and love today.

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#1 Luis Suarez (Barcelona)

Messi and Suarez have achieved a lot together

Undoubtedly his most prolific attacking partner, Luis Suarez, enjoyed a stellar spell with Lionel Messi during their time together at Barcelona. Signed from Liverpool for a gargantuan fee of €81.7 million, Suarez was an absolute sensation at Camp Nou, forming a legendary partnership with the Argentine.

In just six seasons with the club, Suarez managed to become the third-highest goalscorer in Barcelona's history with a colossal tally of 195 strikes. Much more than your average number 9, the Uruguayan stalwart played a monumental role in the Blaugrana's fabled treble-winning 2014-15 season.

Following an 8-2 humbling at the hands of Bayern Munich, the 34-year-old veteran was expelled from the club in an undignified manner. With 258 games and plenty of success together, Suarez is easily the best strike partner Lionel Messi has ever had at club level.

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