The Catalan press has consigned the era of "MSN" to history. With Neymar gone for the riches of Paris and Luis Suarez out injured, Barcelona have been left to rely on one man: Lionel Messi.

That at least was the conclusion of the daily Sport on Thursday morning which christened a new attacking trident: MMM (or Messi, Messi, Messi).

Barcelona were in a state of crisis at the start of the season and in many ways still are, at least institutionally, but have enjoyed an emphatic start to the season on the pitch with Messi at the heart of it all.

Champions League Team of the Week Show all 11 1 /11 Champions League Team of the Week Champions League Team of the Week Goalkeeper - Alisson (Roma) The simple fact is that Roma just shouldn’t have got a point from their opening game, and they only did because their goalkeeper pulled off a series of impossible saves. AFP/Getty Images Champions League Team of the Week Right back - David Zappacosta (Chelsea) It might only have been against Qarabag, and his goal might well have been a fluke, but there could be no questions about the completeness of Zappacosta’s Chelsea debut. He - and his runs - were devastating. Getty Images Champions League Team of the Week Centre back - Manolas (Roma) Not quite as instrumental as Alisson in Roma claiming an undeserved draw against Atletico, but still made some crucial interventions. AFP/Getty Images Champions League Team of the Week Centre back - John Stones (Manchester City) A hugely composed performance in the destruction of Feyenoord, complete with the opening goal. AFP/Getty Images Champions League Team of the Week Left back - Daley Blind (Manchester United) A polished display against Basel, and one that Jose Mourinho can’t have found fault with, given what was said about some of his teammates. Man Utd via Getty Images Champions League Team of the Week Midfield - Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich) It could easily have been him or Marco Verratti, such was the ease that they typically ran their games. Bongarts/Getty Images Champions League Team of the Week Midfield - Bruno Fernandes (Sporting) Instrumental in what could be a hugely important win away to Olympiakos. AFP/Getty Images Champions League Team of the Week Midfield - Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) Came on as a sub after Paul Pogba’s injury, and showed how he’s coming as an influence. Typically rose above the Basel defence for the key opening goal, to ensure United ultimately rose above Basel on what could have been a much trickier night Man Utd via Getty Images Champions League Team of the Week Forward - Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) One of the biggest guarantees of goals in Europe, let alone England, as he secured Tottenham Hotspur’s first big win at Wembley this season. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I Champions League Team of the Week Forward - Leo Messi (Barcelona) Still the master. It’s as simple as that, because it remains almost impossible to stop him, as Juventus - and now Gigi Buffon finally found out. Getty Images Champions League Team of the Week Forward - Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain) Already overshadowed by his more celebrated attacking teammates, the Uruguayan showed in the thrashing of Celtic how valuable his movement could be for them. AFP/Getty Images

The diminutive Argentine has been in scintillating form and was near to his very best on Tuesday night as his side defeated last season's Champions League finalists Juventus 3-0.

The Catalans have also won their first three La Liga games, sitting top of the table after scoring nine and conceding none.

Messi has scored seven in his past three appearances, including two in that win over Juve, and now has a brace in a scarcely believable 10 league games in a row.

With the 30-year-old in such form, Barcelona continue to be one of the strongest teams in Europe.