Ranking the 10 greatest midfield trios of all time in football

Ranking the 10 greatest midfield trios of all time in football

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:14 PM

There have been some fantastic attacking trios in football. There have been several legendary duos and trios in football, but here we will rate a few of the most influential. Let us look at the greatest midfield trios of all time in football.

greatest midfield trios of all time
Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, and Neymar of FC Barcelona with the Champions League trophy on June 6, 2015, at the Olympic stadium in Berlin, Germany.Photo: VI Images
Source: Getty Images

The best footballers have always been surrounded by other world-class sparkling players who have excellent abilities to enable them to reach the pinnacle of their profession. Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, Maradona, Johan Cruyff, and Mo Salah, among others, have frequently been compared to other legendary players who were on par with their extraordinary skills. Here are the top 10 greatest midfield trios of all time in football.

Who are the greatest midfielders of all time?

The most crucial aspect of modern football is dominating the midfield. The midfield has always been the engine of great teams throughout history. For instance, the Spanish trio Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets. Who else is there?

10. Beckham, Scholes, Giggs

greatest midfielders trios of all time manchester united
Ryan Giggs (2nd from left) of Man Utd celebrates with (L to R) David Beckham, Dwight Yorke, and Paul Scholes at Old Trafford, Manchester. Photo: Clive Brunskill
Source: Getty Images

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

These three sportsmen have cemented their place in football and lore as idols for generations of fans and players alike. They were the most dedicated players for Manchester United, and their skills were repeatedly displayed. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs form one of the best greatest midfielders trios in Manchester United.

Regarding passing the ball, Paul Scholes was one of the greatest midfielders ever. The midfield trio of David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs will go down in history as one of the best because of their multiple Premier League and Champions League titles.

9. Omar Sivori, John Charles, Giampiero Boniperti

This country is home to some of the best football players and some of the oldest football clubs in the world, but none are better than the venerable Juventus. Omar Sivori, John Charles, and Giampiero Boniperti are the best three in football history.

Within four seasons, the trio guided the Old Lady to three Serie A titles and two Italian Cup victories. While Juventus has had other great attacking trios, they still consider this one the best.

8. Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini

who are the greatest midfielders of all time
Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli of Juventus on May 16, 2022 in Turin, Italy. Photo: Daniele Badolato
Source: Getty Images

Known collectively as BBC2, the Italian defense of Bonucci, Barzagli, and Chiellini is widely regarded as one of the sport's all-time best units. Juventus, led by Gianluigi Buffon, their legendary goalkeeper, is on the cusp of becoming the dominant force in Europe.

However, the BBC2 defensive trio was an absolute monster in Serie A, making it nearly impossible for any other Serie A team to score. Six Serie A titles and two UEFA Champions League finals followed for the Old Lady. The trio is arguably one of the greatest defensive trios in football history.

7. Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry

greatest midfielders ever
FC Barcelona's Thierry Henry (R), Samuel Eto'o (C), and Leo Messi (R) against Mallorca on May 11, 2008, at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Photo: Lluis Gene
Source: Getty Images

Barcelona has hosted some of football's most impressive individuals and lethal duos; Messi, Eto'o, and Henry are among the most iconic trios ever to play. The trio helped Pep Guardiola's historic Barcelona club win three titles in their first season.

The attacking trio led Barcelona to a historic 2008 season in which they won La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and the Spanish Cup, all in the same calendar year. Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o, and Thierry Henry of Barcelona are among the best midfield trios.

6. Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane

best midfield trios of all time
Liverpool's Mo Salah (C) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with S. Mane (L) and R. Firmino in Liverpool, north-west England, on June 24, 2020. Photo: Phill Noble
Source: Getty Images

As MSF, Liverpool's offensive trio of Salah, Mane, and Firmino is widely regarded as one of the best-attacking units in the contemporary game. Thanks to this lethal combination, Liverpool has climbed back to the top of English football.

The MSF legend triumvirate has scored an absurd 250 goals in just four seasons. Liverpool's success is largely attributed to the efforts of Mane, Salah, and Firmino. They have helped the team win the Champions League, the Premier League, the FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. They are regarded as one of the greatest attacking trios in Liverpool.

5. Xavi, Andreas Iniesta, Sergio Busquets

greatest midfielders trios of all time attacking
Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona ahead of their UEFA Champions League Final against Juventus on June 2, 2015, in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: David Ramos
Source: Getty Images

The core of Pep Guardiola's legendary Barcelona team, this trio helped the club win the treble in 2008 and the Champions League in 2015. The famed tiki-taka concept, adored worldwide, has its roots in these three individuals' foresight and passing skills.

La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, and the Club World Cup were just some of the titles that the trio helped Barcelona capture. They shared in a total of six La Liga championships and four UEFA Champions League medals. Xavi and Iniesta have been the only midfielders to finish in the top three of Balon d'Or voting for the past two years. They are arguably the greatest midfield trio of all time.

4. Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho

greatest midfielders trios of all time barcelona
Brazilians (L to R) Ronaldinho Gaucho, Rivaldo, Ronaldo Nazario, and Lucio on the eve of Brazil's quarterfinal match against England. Photo: Daniel Garcia
Source: Getty Images

There's no need to introduce the world to this hallowed triumvirate. As they dribbled past the greatest defenses of their day to lead Brazil to World Cup victory, the trio of Brazilian legends made football look easy. When Brazil's three Rivaldo, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho won the 2002 World Cup, they proved just how deadly a team Brazil could be.

The dreaded Brazilian attacking trio helped the Selecao win the World Cup by scoring 15 goals in just seven games. In 1999, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho won the World Cup and Copa America with 11 goals in just six games. Three Brazilian celebrities, all among the best in their respective fields. The trio is one of the greatest midfielders trios of all time in attacking.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale

greatest midfielders trios of all time real madrid
Gareth Bale (L), Cristiano Ronaldo (C), and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 10, 2018, in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Helios de la Rubia
Source: Getty Images

Spanish football reached new heights thanks to Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Gareth Bale. The arrival of Ronaldo and Benzema in the Spanish capital is an attempt to restore Spain's and Europe's past greatness.

During the "BBC" period, Real Madrid fans witnessed some spectacular football. An astonishing 97 goals were scored in their first season (2014) together, and the three went on to win four consecutive UEFA Champions League crowns. Real Madrid's lethal front three of Benzema, Ronaldo, and Bale led the club to a historic three-peat as Champions League champions. They are considered the greatest midfielders trios of all time in real Madrid.

2. Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar Jr

greatest midfielders trios of all time barcelona
Lionel Messi (L) celebrates with teammate Luis Suarez (2ndL) and Neymar JR. at Estadio Municipal de Butarque on September 17, 2016, in Leganes, Spain. Photo: Gonzalo Arroyo
Source: Getty Images

Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, the devastating attacking trio for Barcelona, are also well-known as "MSN." They were perhaps the best attacking three in football at the time. Although they are no longer together because Suarez joined Atletico Madrid and Neymar joined PSG, the MSN partnership's legacy will endure.

One of the deadliest trios in football history, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez combined for 122 goals in a single season. They broke their previous mark and assisted Barcelona in capturing a second La Liga championship. With the outstanding trio's abilities, Barcelona won the Champions League, Club World Cup, and La Liga (twice). They are the greatest midfielders trios of all Barcelona.

1. van Basten, Gullit, Rijkaard

greatest midfield trios of all time
1988 Frank Rijkaard, Marco Van Basten, and Ruud Gullit of AC Milan pose for a photo after a training session in Italy. Photo: Alessandro Sabattini
Source: Getty Images

The famed Dutch trio of van Basten, Gullit, and Rijkaard exemplify the power of signing outstanding players to boost a team and turn around a club. Some of Van Basten's goals are considered among the most devastating. One might make the case that Rijkaard was the best defensive midfielder of his period and that Gullit was the best number 10 for the Netherlands. As a group, they formed the best football trio in football history.

They were instrumental in AC Milan's sweep of the Serie A, UEFA Champions League, and European Super Cup trophies. They have contributed to AC Milan's current unbeaten streak of 58 games. They are one of the best midfield trios of all time.

Most of the individuals who fell in the list of greatest midfield trios of all time not only won individual honours but helped their teams win championships at the highest levels of the sport. This list only includes the top 10; however, it would include many more notable football midfielders.

READ ALSO: Cristiano Ronaldo's net worth, contract, Instagram, salary, house, wife, cars, age, stats, transfer news

Sportsbrief.com recently published an article about Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese international footballer is a former Juventus and Real Madrid striker and currently plays as a forward for Manchester United.

It is incredible to watch a 37-year-old athlete in the prime of his career as he continues to shatter records and establish new ones. In addition, he is the most followed celebrity on Instagram. Click on the link above to find out Ronaldo's net worth.

Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.