Lionel Messi XI: 10 best players he has played with other than Neymar and Suarez

As a continuing of our series of listing the best players who have played with Cristiano Ronaldo, the best players who have played with Cristiano Ronaldo, we now compile an eleven of the 10 best players Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi has played - before the incredible trio of MSN came into existence. Since having made his debut for Barcelona in 2004, Messi has been a star without any limits, breaking records and even creating some of his own. In his 14-year long career, Messi has played with some of the world’s greatest of footballers and was part of Pep Guardiola’s revolutionary Barcelona team. In this slideshow, we have tried to take a look back the 10 best players that he has played with in every position, and made a football XI with it:

#1 Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes

Playing Years: 2004-2014

Despite all the criticism directed towards Victor Valdes, he has been one of the rock figures behind the Barcelona side where Messi flourished the most. Valdes wasn't your textbook keeper, and had duties that would generally precede the ones set for a goalkeeper. At times, he had more passes than the opposition's best midfielder, and he had less distance covered. So, it wasn't all about the goalkeeping part. Coming back to his goalkeeping abilities, setting aside certain errors that most goalkeepers make in their career, Valdes was a brilliant one at that.

Having played more than 500 matches for Barcelona, Valdes has won 21 major trophies that include six La Liga titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies.

#2 Right back: Dani Alves

Playing Years: 2008-

Despite being one of the most notorious of footballers when it comes to simulation or creating trouble for the opposition in the most immoral way possible, Dani Alves' talent should always be appreciated. When most other Brazilian fullbacks are criticized for being too attacking and leaving too much space behind, Alves flourished on the right side for Guardiola's team.

From coming up with a pin-point cross for Lionel Messi from the right to neutralising Cristiano Ronaldo's threat in every El Clasico, Alves stood out when most other defenders would fall.

During his first season with Barcelona, Alves won the Treble, followed by the Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, thus being part of the first team to have won the sextuple.

#3 Center Back: Carles Puyol

Playing Years: 2004-2014

If there is one player I was asked to pick from Pep Guardiola's Barcelona side, it has to be Carles Puyol. And, it was all due to his sheer commitment to the side that people undermine in this age of football. Whether it was mentoring a young Gerard Pique or being a rock in front of the net, Puyol was always there when the call of duty came.

Ability wise, he was undoubtedly the most consistent and no-nonsense defender during his prime. He has made over 600 official games for the Catalan side, winning 21 major titles, that includes six La Liga and three UEFA Champions League titles.

#4 Center Back: Gerard Pique

Playing Years: 2008-

I was a bit skeptical about including Gerard Pique inclusion to this side, and that was due to many of his moments of madness which has cost Barcelona on many occasions. But, only a handful of defenders has played more with Messi than Pique has. A 6’4 tall center back, Pique is an ideal defender for aerial threats and is known to be prolific from set pieces.

Aged only 27, Pique has achieved almost every single major trophy that any defender could win, and it is only a way up for the defender.

#5 Left Back: Eric Abidal

Playing Years: 2007-20132007-2013

Eric Abidal makes it to the list ahead of Dutch left-back Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, credits to his more consistent performance for the Catalans and the fact that he has won more with Lionel Messi than Giovanni. Despite not being the fastest or the smartest of players, Abidal was an all-round footballer with great ability to pass the ball around.

His career at Barcelona saw him earn four Spanish La Liga, two Champions League and three domestic cup titles.

#6 Deep lying playmaker: Xavier Hernandez

Playing Years: 2004-

Xavi's love for football is evident to everyone, and his contribution to Guardiola's side was unmatched by perhaps no one. Like every battle plan needs a person to execute it, Xavi was Guardiola's man when it came to that. Together with Messi and Andres Iniesta, the trio created havoc around the world, forming one of football's most commendable trios of all time.

He has been ideologue behind Barcelona’s massive success in the last decade, and his presence in any side gave that team an advantage with ball possession. It is safe to say that it was his style that had defined Spain’s and Barcelona’s golden generation.

#7 Central Midfielder: Andres Iniesta

Playing Years: 2004-

The genius of Andres Iniesta just keeps us on the edge of our seats every season. You might talk about a certain Cesc Fabregas or Luka Modric at the start of every year, but almost all of them lack that attacking prowess that Iniesta offers at the toughest of matches when most of the other big names fall down like pieces in a chess game.

In an age where people are more worried a player's hairstyle than his skills, Iniesta shines like a star, letting his feet do all the talking. A shy, humble and devoted of a player, Iniesta is respected both his fans and critics. From scoring the winning goal against Netherlands in 2010 to lead Spain to their first ever World Cup victory to winning the Best Player in Europe award in 2012, Iniesta has seen it all.

#8 Central Midfielder: Deco

Playing Years: 2004-2008

Deco dictated the central midfield for Barcelona during the four years he had spent at the club and his vision and tactical understanding of the game made him one of Catalan's finest.

During his stay at the club, Deco won two League and one Champions League titles with the club. He was the first midfielder to have won the UEFA Best Midfielder Award with two different clubs; Porto being the other one.

#9 Left winger: Ronaldinho

Playing Years: 2004-2008

Ronaldinho was Lionel Messi before Lionel Messi became what he is right now. Ronaldinho was football's face and a role model for every other emerging footballer at that age including Lionel Messi himself. He is one of the few Barcelona players to have ever received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite his rapid decline due to reasons off the pitch, his brilliance with the ball was unmatched during his Barcelona days, doing things that you wouldn’t expect from a footballer. He was the one who was supposed to contest Real Madrid’s signing of David Beckham, and boy did he!

#10 Right winger: Angel Di Maria

Playing Years: 2008-

Previously a Real Madrid player, Angel Di Maria’s move to Manchester United means that the club rivalry between him and Lionel Messi will no longer be an issue for the Argentinian attacking duo; not that it ever was.

Di Maria is one of the best crossers of the game in this modern era and is known to pose a great threat to the opposition with his fast and incisive runs. Known to be heavily dependent on his left foot, Di Maria's dribbling skills is a constant nightmare for defenders.