Vermaelen: MSN are the three best players in the world

Thomas Vermaelen believes Barcelona's forward line of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar is the most formidable in the world.

The trio combined to fire the Catalans to five trophies - including their second-ever treble - in 2015, while their exploits have lifted Barcelona nine points clear at the top of La Liga.

And Vermaelen has stated how he has been astonished by their brilliance, leading him to proclaim them the best players on the planet.

"They are the three best in the world. Together they are incredible. The goals they score, the way they play," the centre-back told the Daily Mail.

"What they do on the pitch they do in training as well. For us it's amazing. If you play against the best, you will only get better. You have to improve. We're lucky we can see them every day in training; what they do is special.

"We're lucky we can see it. You have to wait until it's on the TV, but we can see it every day.".

Vermaelen had already played alongside Suarez previously and was pleased to hook up with a former team-mate once more.

"We had history at Ajax and it's always nice to see players later in your career," he added.

Vermaelen arrived at Camp Nou alongside Suarez in the summer of 2014 but while the Uruguayan has gone on to establish himself as a key player, the former Arsenal captain has struggled to make an impact.

Nevertheless, he insists he is pleased with his role at the club and fighting for his place in Luis Enrique's plans.

"I see it as a challenge. I'm very happy to be here," Vermaelen continued. "There are five players for two positions. You have to fight for it. They're all good players here, there's no weak link in the team.

"You have to work for it. I'm very happy that I made the decision [to come].

"I think he's [Luis Enrique] very good in his contact with players. I like that. But at the end of the day he makes the decisions, so I feel like he doesn't have to explain all the decisions he makes. He's talking to everybody.

"He will tell you where you have to improve or not but he can't explain every decision. He's the boss."