Marco van Basten excludes Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from his top three greatest players of all time, choosing Pelé, Diego Maradona, and Johan Cruyff instead, sparking debate over his perspective on football greatness.

In a bold and unexpected claim, legendary Dutch striker Marco van Basten has sparked a fierce debate in the football world by leaving Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo out of his top three greatest players of all time.

Van Basten, who is widely regarded as one of the most talented forwards of his generation, made the comments in a recent interview that is sure to send shockwaves through the football community.

While Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the sport for over a decade, with their countless individual awards and record-breaking performances, van Basten’s choices reflect a more traditional view of football history.

The Dutch icon, whose career was unfortunately cut short by injury, based his rankings on players who left an indelible impact on the game, not just in terms of personal accolades but also in their broader influence on football’s evolution.

Van Basten’s top three players, in his own words, are Pelé, Diego Maradona, and Johan Cruyff—three of the most revered figures in football history.

Each of these players is often discussed in debates about the greatest of all time (GOAT), and van Basten’s selections emphasize their immense contributions to the sport.

Pelé, the Brazilian forward often called “The King,” was a natural first choice for van Basten. With three World Cup victories (1958, 1962, and 1970), Pelé’s achievements on the global stage are unparalleled.

His incredible ability to score goals, his skill on the ball, and his consistency at the highest level made him a symbol of excellence in football.

Pelé’s influence transcended football; he became a global ambassador for the sport, inspiring generations of players. Van Basten’s admiration for Pelé is clear, and his inclusion in the top three is a reflection of the Brazilian legend’s lasting legacy in football.

Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup, is another player who earned his spot in van Basten’s top three.

Maradona’s dribbling, vision, and playmaking ability were simply extraordinary, and he is still remembered for his role in one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history—his “Hand of God” goal and his brilliant solo effort against England in the quarterfinals.

For van Basten, Maradona was not just a player; he was a force of nature on the field, capable of producing moments of magic that few could replicate.

Maradona’s impact at club level, particularly with Napoli in Italy, where he won multiple Serie A titles, further solidified his status as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

The third player in van Basten’s list is Johan Cruyff, a man whose influence on the game extended well beyond his playing career. Cruyff was not just an exceptional player; he was also a revolutionary thinker who reshaped the way football is played.

As the mastermind behind the philosophy of “Total Football” that dominated the Netherlands and FC Barcelona, Cruyff changed the tactical approach of modern football. His intelligence on the pitch, combined with his ability to orchestrate attacks, set him apart as a visionary.

Van Basten, a product of the Ajax youth system, clearly holds Cruyff in the highest regard, not only for his achievements as a player but for his transformative impact on the sport.

While van Basten’s selections are rooted in admiration for the historical giants of the game, they also highlight his perspective on the essence of football.

For van Basten, greatness is not just about individual accolades or records; it is about the ability to influence the sport and leave a lasting imprint on future generations. Pelé, Maradona, and Cruyff each did this in their own way, defining the very essence of football in their respective eras.

The omission of Messi and Ronaldo from van Basten’s list is sure to provoke strong reactions.

The two players have dominated the football landscape for over a decade, with numerous Ballon d’Or wins between them, and both are widely regarded as two of the best players to ever play the game.

Messi, known for his incredible dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability, has set records that may never be broken, while Ronaldo’s athleticism, work ethic, and clinical finishing have made him a machine in front of goal.

Both players have been key to their teams’ successes, leading their respective clubs to domestic and international glory.

However, van Basten’s perspective seems to be focused on the overall influence and impact a player has had on the game, rather than just the individual achievements that Messi and Ronaldo are celebrated for.

While it is difficult to argue against their individual brilliance, van Basten seems to believe that the players who defined football in the past, in terms of their ability to revolutionize the sport and leave a profound legacy, deserve more recognition in the GOAT debate.

This bold statement by van Basten adds another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding the greatest footballer of all time. The discussion has been intensifying for years, with different generations of fans and pundits offering their opinions.

Some believe Pelé is the undisputed GOAT, while others argue that Messi’s technical brilliance surpasses all, and Ronaldo’s consistency and longevity make him a contender.

Van Basten’s exclusion of both players from his top three serves as a reminder that football greatness can be defined in many different ways.

For van Basten, Pelé, Maradona, and Cruyff represent the epitome of football excellence, not just in terms of their skill on the ball but also their ability to shape the game and inspire future generations.

As the debate continues, one thing is certain: the GOAT conversation will remain a topic of passionate discussion for years to come, with opinions continuing to evolve as football itself grows and changes.