👑 Like the Three Wise Men: The greatest trios in football history | OneFootball

On January 6th, the Three Wise Men travel through the land, traditionally bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

In football, you don’t need camels for this, but rather passes, goals, and a whole lot of magic. After all, the world’s most beautiful sport has always been shaped by very special trios—trios that decided games, defined entire eras, and still make fans swoon to this day. 

In honor of Epiphany, we’re taking a not entirely serious, but reverent look at seven of the best trios in football history.

Messi – Suárez – Neymar (FC Barcelona)

This trio was simply unfair. Messi as the brilliant conductor, Neymar as the unpredictable magician, and Suárez as the ice-cold finisher. Together, they were simply impossible to defend against. “MSN” combined joy of play with ruthless efficiency.

What made them special: it wasn’t just a marriage of convenience. The three understood each other blindly, both on and off the pitch. In 2015, it all culminated in the treble. And who knows: if Neymar hadn’t moved to PSG in 2017, MSN might have been even more successful.

Cristiano Ronaldo – Benzema – Bale (Real Madrid)

Less playful, but maximally powerful. This trio thrived on pace, physicality, and an unwavering will to win. Ronaldo as a goal monster, Bale as a force of nature down the right wing, Benzema as the chronically underrated and highly intelligent link-up player.

“BBC” was a force, especially in the Champions League. Three titles in a row speak for themselves. It doesn’t get much more regal on the European stage.

Xavi – Iniesta – Busquets (FC Barcelona & Spain)

In contrast to the previous combinations, this trio can’t boast absurd scoring stats. This trident is more for true football purists. Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets controlled games with passes, positioning, and incredible composure.

They formed the heart of Tiki-Taka, both at Barça and with the Spanish national team. In 2010, they became world champions, followed by the European Championship title in 2012—already the second for Xavi and Iniesta after 2008.

Van Basten – Gullit – Rijkaard (AC Milan & Netherlands)

Three Dutchmen, three world stars, three completely different types. Van Basten as the elegant goal scorer, Gullit as the physical powerhouse, Rijkaard as the strategic anchor.

At AC Milan, they formed the core of one of the best teams of all time, and with the Dutch national team, they won the 1988 European Championship in Germany. That’s quite something!

Salah – Firmino – Mané (FC Liverpool)

This trio thrived on pace, intensity, and embodied Jürgen Klopp’s heavy-metal football almost to perfection. Salah and Mané came down the wings, Firmino operated as a false nine—not necessarily a world-class goal scorer, but always on the move, always dangerous.

At Liverpool, they became the symbol of modern attacking football and triumphed in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Ronaldo – Ronaldinho – Rivaldo (Brazil)

In the case of this Brazilian connection, it was less about tactics or systems and much more about pure magic. Ronaldo was an unstoppable force of nature, Rivaldo simply a sly fox, and Ronaldinho had the genius of a street footballer.

At the 2002 World Cup, they led the Seleção to their fifth world title. For years, this trio showed why Brazil is generally considered the football kingdom of gifted technicians.

Best – Charlton – Law (Manchester United)

The “Holy Trinity” of Old Trafford. George Best as the eccentric genius, Bobby Charlton as the strategist and leader, and Denis Law as the uncompromising goal scorer were far ahead of their time.

📸 IAN HODGSON - AFP or licensors

In the 60s, they led Manchester United to the top of Europe. To this day, their statues stand in front of the stadium. A legacy can hardly be more regal.

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

📸 Denis Doyle - 2017 Getty Images