Besides goal-scoring strikers, modern football has become a haven for the rise of “deadly trios.” Let’s take a look at these remarkable combinations with 5JILI.
10. Pedro, Diego Costa, Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
With N’Golo Kante supporting in central midfield, the ball was frequently passed to Pedro, Diego Costa, and Eden Hazard. These three not only assisted each other but also interchanged positions to share the goal-scoring responsibilities. This perfect combination was a significant contributor to Chelsea’s 2016/17 Premier League title. As a result, when coach Antonio Conte excluded the Spanish striker from his plans the following season, both Pedro and Hazard strongly opposed the decision.
9. Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne, Jose Callejon (Napoli)
Mertens, Insigne, and Callejon had been at Napoli for a long time, but it wasn’t until Maurizio Sarri took over as coach that this trio truly clicked. From the beginning of the season, this trio contributed more than 60% of the team’s total goals. During attacks, Insigne typically played as a left winger, Callejon on the right, while Mertens was the central striker, ready to finish off chances.
8. Hulk, Falcao, Silvestre Varela (Porto)
With Hulk, Falcao, and Silvestre Varela, Porto’s 4-3-3 formation was incredibly strong. This trio combined youthful speed with the experience of seasoned players, creating a powerful force. They frequently assisted and swapped roles to help each other on the field.
7. Marco Reus, Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski (Dortmund)
The trio of Marco Reus, Mario Gotze, and Robert Lewandowski is often seen as the golden era of Borussia Dortmund under Jurgen Klopp. All three were lethal goal-scorers, taking turns to net goals and secure victories for the Ruhr club. They won the Bundesliga title twice consecutively in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons. However, Dortmund’s dominant era in Europe ended when Mario Gotze and later Robert Lewandowski left for Bayern Munich.
6. Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani, Neymar (PSG)
PSG’s attacking power has been showcased through the trio of Mbappe, Cavani, and Neymar, who have scored more goals than Real Madrid’s entire squad. Thanks to this devastating force, Unai Emery’s PSG surpassed 100 goals across all competitions. Overall, PSG averaged 3.36 goals per match across all competitions that season. The trio cost PSG a staggering 466 million euros, but they have proven that past tensions have been left behind.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez (Man United)
Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, and Cristiano Ronaldo formed a lethal attacking trio under Sir Alex Ferguson. Besides their technical prowess, each player had unique qualities. Ronaldo was known for his speed and agility on the wings, Rooney was versatile, contributing to both attack and defense, while Tevez was tireless and played with relentless intensity, like a true warrior.
4. Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto’o, Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
From 2007 to 2009, Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto’o, and Lionel Messi formed a trio that terrorized defenses across Europe. Together, they scored 152 goals in 261 matches, with an average of 0.58 goals per match. This trio was a pivotal force during their time at Barcelona.
3. Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid BBC (Benzema, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo) once ruled European football. Over these years, the trio kept a steady contribution to a very impressive scoring rate: they represented between 64% and 77 of Real Madrid’s goals every season. But all three have waned in recent times, not helping Real Madrid’s own form slump.
2. Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho (Brazil National Team)
Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning trio of Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo combined with devastating effect. Ronaldo finished the competition as top scorer with eight goals and Rivaldo wads outstanding too – including an eminent volley against Belgium in the final 16 and a better assistance for Ronaldo’s critical objective because of Carlos in the final. The latter goal against David Seaman in the quarterfinals turned Ronaldinho into Brazil’s next global superstar.
1. Barcelona —Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neymar
It is true that if they had not passed through the Camp Nou, Luis Suárez would not have been as visible on a worldwide scale as he once was, nor Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. Three of the best attacking trio in football history. The latter being an unbeatable, almost unfair front-line of talent known as “MSN”. From 2014-17, MSN scored over a century goals every season for three back-to-back campaigns, and smashed endless records in the process.
