Football’s greatest attacking trios in history 👑 | OneFootball

January 6th is the day of the Three Wise Men! A holiday celebrated in many countries, especially in Spain, where it is even more important than Christmas itself.

It’s the perfect occasion, in tribute, to look back at the greatest trios in football history. Because the world’s most beautiful sport has always been shaped by exceptional trios. Trios that have decided matches, defined entire eras, and continue to thrill fans today.

Messi - Suarez - Neymar (FC Barcelona)

This trio was simply unbeatable. Messi, a genius playmaker; Neymar, an unpredictable magician; and Suárez, a finisher with deadly efficiency. Together, they were simply unstoppable. The “MSN” combined exhilarating play with ruthless effectiveness.

What made them so special: their partnership wasn’t just a matter of circumstance. The three players understood each other perfectly, almost with their eyes closed, both on and off the pitch. In 2015, this chemistry peaked with the treble. And who knows? If Neymar hadn’t joined PSG in 2017, the MSN might have achieved even greater success. But we’re probably looking at the most iconic trio in history.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Benzema - Bale (Real Madrid)

The famous rival of MSN, the BBC. Less dazzling, but incredibly powerful. This trio excelled thanks to their speed, physicality, and an unshakeable will to win. Ronaldo, a true monster in front of goal; Bale, a powerhouse winger on the right; and Benzema, the incredibly intelligent and often underrated link.

The BBC was a force to be reckoned with, especially in the Champions League. Three consecutive titles says it all. It’s hard to get more prestigious on the European stage—the results speak for themselves.

Xavi - Iniesta - Busquets (FC Barcelona / Spain)

Unlike the previous combinations, this trio doesn’t boast impressive goal stats. It’s more for football purists. Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets dominated matches through their passing, positioning, and exceptional composure.

They formed the heart of Tiki-Taka, both at Barça and with the Spanish national team. In 2010, they became world champions, then European champions in 2012—the second title for Xavi and Iniesta after 2008. A silky trio, appreciated by all football lovers.

Van Basten - Gullit - Rijkaard (AC Milan / Netherlands)

Three Dutchmen, three world stars, three totally different profiles. Van Basten, an elegant and ingenious striker; Gullit, physical strength mixed with great technical finesse; Rijkaard, a strategic playmaker.

At AC Milan, they formed the core of one of the greatest teams of all time, and with the Dutch national team, they won the European Championship in Germany in 1988. Not bad at all for a trio we tend to forget, even though they were truly top-tier.

Salah - Firmino - Mané (Liverpool)

The most recent trio. They excelled in fast, intense play, perfectly embodying Jürgen Klopp’s powerful and spectacular football. Salah and Mané played on the wings, while Firmino operated as a false nine—not necessarily a world-class scorer, but constantly moving, always dangerous, such a valuable role, the glue of the trio.

At Liverpool, they became the very embodiment of modern attacking football, terrorizing many teams and triumphing in both the Premier League and the Champions League. Enough to place them at the very top.

Ronaldo - Ronaldinho - Rivaldo (Brazil)

This wasn’t so much about tactics or systems, but just pure magic. Joga Bonito, from Brazil. If you’re too young to have seen them play, go straight to YouTube, look up their highlights, and enjoy. Ronaldo was an irresistible force of nature, Rivaldo a cunning player, and Ronaldinho possessed the genius of a street footballer.

During the 2002 World Cup, they led the Seleção to its fifth world title. For years, this trio showed why Brazil is generally considered a football kingdom, home to extraordinary magicians and technicians.

Best - Charlton - Law (Manchester United)

The “Holy Trinity” of Old Trafford. The slightly old-school trio on this list. Their names might not ring a bell, but George Best, eccentric genius; Bobby Charlton, strategist and leader; and Denis Law, relentless scorer, were clearly ahead of their time, forming an unstoppable trio back then.

📸 IAN HODGSON - AFP or licensors

In the 1960s, they led Manchester United to the top of Europe (European Cup in 1968). All three also won the Ballon d’Or, and their statue stands in front of the legendary Old Trafford stadium. The flex is massive—hard to top that.

Robben - Ribéry - Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

Potentially the best trio in Bundesliga history, who also wreaked havoc at the European level. In five seasons together, they scored 276 goals, provided 130 assists, won five Bundesligas, two German Cups, and reached three Champions League semi-finals. What more can you say?

So, in your opinion, which is the greatest trio in history among these? Or do you see others above them? Tell us in the comments ⬇️

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.

📸 Denis Doyle - 2017 Getty Images