As one of the most famous sports globally, the game is filled with many great players. Moreover, these players have remarkable individual record that has impressed the fans.
Similarly, there have been some iconic trios that have changed the definition of the game. The teamwork between the players makes them some of the greatest attacking teams in the game’s history.
So who are those iconic best trios to play in soccer history? We have just the list for you!
We have made a list of some fierce trios in soccer history. From older players to the newer generation, their sensational gameplay stands out from the rest.
So without any further delay, let us know about these iconic teams.
Top 12 Best Trios Ever In Football History
The list has been compiled from various sources on the internet like The Football Lovers, Sports browser, etc. But before getting into the details, let us take a quick look at the table below.
| Players | Team |
| 12. David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes | Manchester United |
| 11. Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry | FC Barcelona |
| 10. Alfredo Di Stefano, Francisco Gento, Ferenc Puskas | Real Madrid |
| 9. Omar Sivori, John Charles, Giampiero Boniperti | Juventus FC |
| 8. Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane | Liverpool FC |
| 7. Pele, Jairzinho, Tostao | Brazil National Team |
| 6. Xavi, Andreas Iniesta, Sergio Busquets | FC Barcelona |
| 5. George Best, Denis Law, Bobby Charlton | Manchester United |
| 4. Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho | Brazil National Team |
| 3. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale | Real Madrid |
| 2. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar Jr | FC Barcelona |
| 1. Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard | AC Milan |
12. David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes
We will start our list with the inspirational trios of Manchester United. Beckham, Giggs, and Scholes are considered three of the greatest football players.
Because of their admirable individual skills, there is no doubt that they were one of the legendary trios in soccer history.
Additional to their skills, they were three of the hardest-working players. So much so that stories compared their training sessions to Spartan training.
With his crossing ability, Beckham, Scholes, regarded as the best passer in England, and Giggs’s speed made them a formidable team. They were the backbone midfielders for their team.
The trio led the club to many title victories. The most notable ones are their 1999 treble Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League). Moreover, the treble is the only one won by an English soccer team.
11. Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry
Barcelona has always boasted of having some of the greatest soccer players in history. Messi, Eto’o, and Henry are three big names who have been part of the club.
Having them all three for a trio it’s a treat for the soccer fans. Their combination of skills and talents made them one of the era-defining teams of Barcelona. Moreover, they led their coach Pep Guardiola to a treble in his first season.
Young Messi was teamed up with two of the French star player, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o. One of the most significant decisions that led Barcelona to new heights.
Moreover, the trio claimed their European legacy and Blaugrana to demonstrate Barcelona’s dominance over the rest. They helped the club win the treble in 2008, including La Liga, UEFA Champions League, and the Spanish Cup.
Therefore, there is no denying that these three combinations of players made them one of the best trios.
10. Alfredo Di Stefano, Francisco Gento, Ferenc Puskas
The next trio on our list is the one considered to be Real Madrid’s original soccer trio. The trio left an unforgettable mark in the club’s history before establishing itself as a significant force in European football.
Alfredo Di Stefano, Francisco Gento, and Ferenc Puskas helped Madrid become a dominant club in the 1950s. They help win five UEFA Champions League titles in a row.
Similarly, another memorable trio performance was in the European Cup Final with Eintracht Frankfurt. Madrid won the European Cup with a score gap of 7-3.
Therefore, all these massive wins help establish the club as the most valuable sports club in the world.
Stefano is considered one of the highest scorers in the UEFA Champions League. Moreover, Gento is the only player who has won six European Cups. With such prolific players, the trio was one of the best seen in soccer history.
9. Omar Sivori, John Charles, Giampiero Boniperti
On our, number 9 is the jewel trio of Juventus’s old lady, made up of Omar Sivori, John Charles, and Giampiero Boniperti. They were the force that brought the club from the series of bad luck they were facing in the 1950s.
They joined and formed a team in 1957, and the magic started for the old lady. Even named “El Trio Magico,” they became one of the best-attacking trios in soccer history.
At the height of their game, the trio brought the old lady three Serie A titles and two Italian Cups. Their joined force brought the club back to the map and established it as a European powerhouse.
Juventus is not just one of the best soccer teams but is also one of the oldest soccer clubs. And although the club has had many trios over the year, no other can compare to Sivori, Charles, and Boniperti’ss teamwork.
8. Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane
Also known as MSF, the team made of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane of Liverpool is considered one of the best-attacking trios of modern soccer.
Under the managerial helm of Jurgen Klopp, the trio became the deadly attacking trio in the club’s history. With their impeccable ability to break through any defenses, they have one of the highest-scoring records as a trio.
As one of the best-attacking trio of the club, their teamwork helped the club to ascertain its dominance in English football. Moreover, in 4 seasons of teaming up together, MSF has a 250-goal score.
Similarly, they help the club bring home the Champions League trophy, FIFA Club World Cup, Premier League title, and the UEFA Super Cup.
Consequently, they were also considered the best football trios in 2020. Therefore, there is no argument that these three players’ team is one of the best in modern soccer.
7. Pele, Jairzinho, Tostao
Back in the 1970s, one of the most iconic trios was from Brazil. In the 1970s, the soccer world saw one of the best trios ever Pele, Jairzinho, and Tostao.
They are regarded as the most excellent attacking trio ever seen at a World Cup. In their own right, the trio of number 10s players played one of the most sensational games ever seen in World Cup history.
The trio made history in the 1970 World Cup and grabbed the world’s attention. They showed the world how good the Brazilian players are.
Out of the 19 goals Brazil scored in the 1970 World Cup, Pele either assisted or scored 14. The trio gave such an exhilarating show that made them one of the world’s best and most legendary trios ever.
6. Xavi, Andreas Iniesta, Sergio Busquets
Another iconic trio of Barcelona that stole soccer fans’ hearts was Xavi, Andreas Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets. Considered some of the best midfielders, the three created one of the dynamic and deadly trios.
Under coach Pep Guardiola, the trio was the heart of the team. Their remarkable vision and passing ability laid the basis for one of the most admired and legendary tiki-taka philosophies.
One of the most notable wins of the trio for the club was the treble in 2008. Similarly, they also won the 2015 Champions League.
Likewise, the trio’s other titles and trophies led their club to include six La Liga, four UEFA Champions League titles, Copa Del Ray, and Club World Cup.
Xavi and Iniesta were the only midfielders in the top 3 of the Balon d’Or list 2 or more times. Therefore, one of the most creative teams in modern soccer, this trio is 6th on our list.
5. George Best, Denis Law, Bobby Charlton
The team of George Best, Denis Law, and Bobby Charlton from Manchester United is on our fifth list of the best trios ever. The triads are considered one of the greatest of Manchester United.
These three players were known as the “Holy Trinity” of English soccer. They were also the force behind Manchester’s early success in European soccer.
Similarly, the trios help the club become the first English club to win the 1968 European Cup. This win further cemented Manchester as a dominant force in European soccer.
True to their name as “Holy Trinity,” the trio struck fear in their opponent’s hearts. Altogether the three played in 1300 matches together and scored over 600 goals. Similarly, each of the players has won a Ballon d’Or.
The team of these three players is legendary, and they marked an era of good players for Manchester United.
4. Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho
On our number 4 is another legendary trio from Brazil. Know as the 3Rs; the trio is one of the best attacking and power teams in soccer history.
Each player is a legend on their own. They marked the prosperous era of Brazilian football for their generation.
With their superb dribbling ability, Ronaldo was a brilliant striker, while Rivaldo and Ronaldinho were two of the best midfielder in Brazil. The trio first teamed up into a trio in Copa America.
The most notable win of the trio was the World Cup in 2002. Similarly, they also won the Copa America in 1999, where they scored 11 goals in 6 games, leading them to victory.
Together the trio played seven games where they scored 15 goals. Ronaldo’s excellent finishing, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho as efficient free-kick takers, their team is one of the best in Brazil’s soccer history.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale
We have reached our top 3 best trios ever. On our number three is the iconic “BBC” from Real Madrid. Benzema, Bale, and Cristiano team help Madrid assert Madrid’s dominance against their rival Barcelona.
The trio at their time was one of the best, and they redefined the club’s counter-attacking football play.
Similarly, they are also some of the most creative and expensive players in sports. In addition, the three players formed incredible teamwork.
In their first season playing in 2014, they scored an astounding 97 goals. Likewise, the trio led the club to four UEFA Champions League and two La Liga titles.
Moreover, the trio made Real Madrid the first club to win three consecutive Champions Leagues in history. Altogether, they played for four seasons. After which, Ronaldo signed with Juventus, ending the trio.
2. Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar Jr
The trio that gave tough competition to Real Madrid’s BBC was the deadliest attacking trio from Barcelona, the supreme MSN. The trio was made of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar Jr.
The three players are regarded as some of the best players in soccer in modern times. Between 2014 and 2017, the trio showed Barcelona as a powerhouse in European soccer.
The three formed Bacerlona’s star trio in club history. In 2015, the trio helped top Madrid’s goals score record. The trio led to 122 goals scores in the single season.
Moreover, the trio broke their record the following season and scored 131 goals. Similarly, they also led Barcelona to win the Champions League, La Liga twice, and Club World Club.
Although the trio is no longer together, their legacy still is intact. Neymar and Messi recently have joined Paris Saint-Germain FC while Saurez is plating for Atlético Madrid.
1. Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard
And the number one best trio ever in soccer history goes to the legendary trio of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and Frank Rijkaard of AC Milan.
The trio is an excellent example of how teaming up with the right players can lead to a club’s success. The signing of these three players together changed the tides for AC Milan.
Van Basten was a clinical finisher, Gullit is considered one of the greatest Dutch players, and Rijkaard was one of the best midfielders of his generation. Hence, there is no argument that their trio could be no less than iconic.
Their skills and talent presented Milan as one of the best European soccer clubs. The trio was the force that helped Milan win three Serie A titles, two European Super Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles.
Likewise, they also help the club gain an unbeaten streak in 58 matches in all forms of competition. The trio is the all-time best trio in soccer history, with extraordinary skills and talents.
Conclusion
The trios mentioned in the list not only captured the hearts of the fans, they forever engraved themselves in soccer history as the best of the bests.
Although we may not be able to watch them play, we can still watch them play together in old videos and relieve the iconic moments again.
