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Barcelona's Messi, Squarez & Neymar 'best trio in history' - Belletti

Ex-Barcelona defender Juliano Belletti has spoken of the strength of the relationship between the Blaugrana front three as they have helped each other through recent "bad moments".

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez were lauded through much of the season as they lead their side towards what had seemed a likely 'double treble' in retaining the La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey trophies.

However the trio have subsequently been criticised as a slump in form for them and the rest of the team saw Luis Enrique's side lose a big lead in the Spanish title race as well as being eliminated from the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

Barca have since bounced back in La Liga - hammering Deportivo La Coruna 8-0 and Sporting Gijon 6-0, with Messi, Neymar and Suarez all on the scoresheet in both games, and are again in control at the top of the table with just three games remaining.

The 2006 UCL winner with Barca told the club's TV channel that the bond between the South Americans made them the best three man strike force in history.

"Messi, Suarez and Neymar are the best trident in history," Belletti said. "In the good times, but also in bad moments, they help each other. That is something unusual in the world of football."

Messi's consistency through the seasons made him comparable to Brazil great Pele, Belletti said.

"[Messi] is the Pele of my generation after keeping his level so high for so many years," he said. "He is so great that he has been capable of making other good footballers be forgotten in the fight to be the best in the world."

Neymar, 24, faced the most criticism from fans and pundits after his personal performances hit the biggest dip, but Belletti said this was normal given the Brazilian was still adapting to the pressure and responsibility of his status.

"[Neymar] is learning every day at Barca, above all, with the pressure and responsibility of being a leading player," he said. "He is still very young, he has a long road ahead of him, and we must have patience when some games do not go well for him. I am convinced that Neymar will bring a lot of joy for Barca."

Suarez's eight goals in four days against Depor and Sporting showed he could take responsibility when required, Belletti said.

"It is impressive how he has taken on the responsibility," he said. "He has that alongside Messi and Neymar. What he has achieved deserves a lot of praise."