Griezmann snubs Messi and Ronaldo in surprise all-time La Liga pick

December 11, 2025 Oliver Obel

ESPN’s segment asked Griezmann to name his top picks across several categories. The replies came fast: Didier Drogba for finishing, Andrés Iniesta for creativity, Marcel Desailly for defensive quality, and Gianluigi Buffon in goal.

On flair, he leaned toward Ronaldinho, and when the question turned to intangible presence, he pointed to Zinedine Zidane as the player who carried the greatest “aura.”

Griezmann did acknowledge what many fans consider obvious that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo stand alone as the two best players of all time. But that didn’t mean either man topped his list of La Liga greats.

Why he believes Cruyff stands above Messi and Ronaldo

When pushed to name the greatest in Spanish league history, Griezmann selected Johan Cruyff, a choice that reflects how deeply the Dutchman’s ideas still shape the sport.

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Even though Griezmann shared 85 matches with Messi during his spell at Barcelona, he told ESPN that Cruyff’s impact went “beyond individual brilliance,” pointing instead to the way he reshaped an entire footballing culture.

Cruyff’s on-field career at Barcelona in the 1970s is well documented through historical reporting, including from outlets such as ESPN. During that time, he brought home league and cup titles and earned the Ballon d’Or in both 1973 and 1974. His 60 goals and 28 assists in 180 matches only tell part of the story; the bigger mark was the introduction of a style of play that would later become synonymous with Barcelona’s identity.

A manager who redefined a club

Cruyff’s influence grew even stronger when he returned as manager between 1988 and 1996. His teams won four straight La Liga titles and lifted the 1991–92 European Cup, setting a tactical foundation that future Barcelona sides particularly those coached by Pep Guardiola would build upon.

After Cruyff’s passing in 2016, tributes poured in. Lionel Messi described him as a “legend,” and Guardiola, speaking to RAC1, called him “a teacher and revolutionary.”

Guardiola reflected on how deeply Cruyff shaped the way his players thought about the game:

“He made us understand football. His advice was very important. He advised you to use your instincts, to take decisions. He opened your eyes.”

He added that football is so complex one might feel the need to control everything “unless you are Messi” yet Cruyff still helped players navigate that complexity with confidence.

A pick that says as much about influence as talent

Griezmann’s choice ultimately aligns him with a long line of players and managers who credit Cruyff with altering Barcelona’s and arguably Spain’s footballing DNA. While Messi and Ronaldo remain dominant figures in the modern debate, Cruyff’s legacy stretches across generations, making Griezmann’s pick less surprising the more context one considers.

Sources: ESPN, RAC1