Edwin van der Sar, the celebrated Dutch goalkeeper and former Manchester United player, excluded Cristiano Ronaldo while naming his top five players to watch throughout football history. The Ajax chief shared his list in an interview with GOAL ahead of the 2025 Soccer Aid by UNICEF event.
Van der Sar placed French midfielder Zinedine Zidane at number five and former Manchester United teammate Ryan Giggs at number four. He praised Giggs’ technique and overall contribution, stating,
“I love Ryan Giggs. The way he touched the ball whenever he caressed the ball, the way he got the crosses in, and then he scored. So, Ryan.”
In third place, van der Sar named Lionel Messi, notably omitting Ronaldo from his selection despite their shared history at Manchester United. The Dutchman admitted feeling conflicted due to Messi’s scoring against him during his career, adding,
“Not really happy that he scored a few goals against me, Lionel Messi”
Argentine icon Diego Maradona was placed second on the list, while Johan Cruyff, the legendary Dutch forward, was regarded as the greatest player of all time by van der Sar.
Marcus Rashford’s Preference Highlights Messi over Ronaldo
During a 2018 interview with CNN, English forward Marcus Rashford was asked to choose between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of the most decorated footballers of recent decades. Despite having played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, Rashford expressed a clear preference.
While acknowledging Ronaldo’s talents, Rashford named Messi as the greatest footballer ever, explaining,
“Some of the stuff that he does is unbelievable. I’m a big fan of (Cristiano) Ronaldo as well, but I think Messi is the greatest ever.”
Rashford, who spent part of the 2024-25 season on loan at Aston Villa, had a direct experience with Ronaldo during his time at Manchester United between 2021 and 2022.
The Lasting Impact of These Football Legends
Van der Sar’s list reflects a thoughtful and respectful evaluation of players who have shaped football’s modern era, spotlighting technique, influence, and legacy over popularity. By ranking Lionel Messi among the top five while excluding Ronaldo, the Dutch goalkeeper underscores ongoing debates about the greatest players to follow and watch.
As football continues evolving, these reflections offer fans a nuanced perspective on talent and greatness. The upcoming Soccer Aid event, featuring a World XI triumph over England XI, also highlights how former stars remain influential in promoting important causes like UNICEF.