Picking out an all-time midfield three in football is a debate that could go on for hours, fine-tuning possible options to dominate games through a number of attributes - but AI has given its reasoning and argument for the best-ever three.
There have been midfield superstars since football began, with tackling, passing, long-range shots, dribbling and energy being the hallmark of a great all-rounder - and it is tough to select just three names to go into the greatest team in history.
However, AI has picked out certain criteria for the greatest three-man midfield, stating that it must involve a balance of creativity, control, physicality, tactical intelligence and influence - with the perfect trio consisting of a deep-lying playmaker, a box-to-box controller and an attacking maestro. And, with that in mind, GIVEMESPORT reveals who AI has named in its all-time midfield trio, which has been carefully chosen across different 'roles and eras'.
Defensive Midfield - Lothar Matthaus
Lothar Matthaus in action for West Germany
One of football's best-ever greats on both the club and international scene, Matthaus' achievements as a player are second-to-none in his homeland.
The diminutive midfielder led his country to the 1990 World Cup, as well as winning the Ballon d'Or in the same year - and he became one of just a few players to have featured in five World Cup tournaments.
Being the most-capped Germany player of all-time, and dubbed one of the greatest midfielders of all-time, Matthaus was renowned for his passing, tackling and shooting - everything you would want from a midfielder.
AI has labelled Matthaus as 'the complete midfield general', bringing the gap between the No. 6 and No. 8 positions - and as well as his international accolades, Matthaus was also a UEFA Cup winner, and took home seven Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich to really stamp his claim as German football's shining jewel.
Box-to-Box Midfielder - Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Another player who took the world by storm on a number of occasions, Zidane was 'grace, vision and control personified', according to AI.
Even though Zidane fared for most of his career as an attacking midfielder, he had the strength, height and work-rate to operate box-to-box, as seen by his domineering runs from deep for Real Madrid and Juventus back in the day.
Evidently, his spins, roulettes and first-touch were the key points of his game, but an intangible skill that he held was his ability to change games. A single touch, pass, shot or driving run continuously had defences scrambling to deny him - and that alone gets Zidane into the team.
Zinedine Zidane's career statistics - record for clubs and country
Team
Real Madrid
Juventus
Bordeaux
Cannes
France National Team
Of course, Zidane's career statistics also speak for themselves. It's easy to forget that the Frenchman was 29 by the time he joined Real, having forged an incredible career for himself at Cannes, Bordeaux and Juventus - but a Champions League and a La Liga title, two international trophies with France and various accolades including the Ballon d'Or made him one of the greatest attacking engines in world history.
Zidane exited the game in the most memorable way possible, being sent off with a headbutt in the World Cup final in 2006 - but even that doesn't tarnish his legacy.
Central Midfield Maestro - Xavi
Xavi-Hernandez-Barcelona
The pinnacle of tiki-taka football saw Pep Guardiola lead stars such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets into a possession-clad side that tore teams apart for the best part of a five-year period - but arguably the biggest key in their midfield was Xavi.
AI labels him as the 'architect' of tiki-taka, dictating play with a 'metronomic rhythm' and 'unrivalled football IQ'. It's easy to see why - although Busquets was the cornerstone of the Barcelona midfield trio, and Iniesta was the one more likely to drive into space and link with stars such as Messi, Pedro and Alexis Sanchez - Xavi was the glue, never venturing too far from the midfield, but also never giving the ball away, keeping play ticking and recycling the ball with ease.
It's no surprise that Spain's golden era featured him in the centre of the park, at the same time that Barcelona dominated world football - and that is evidenced by an incredible trophy cabinet for the playmaker. In his 17 full seasons at the Catalan club, the controller featured in 767 games for the club - with only two seasons from his final 12 registering under 30 league games - as well as 133 caps for Spain.
Eight La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey's, four Champions Leagues, two European Championships and a World Cup would be the envy of most players in world football, and he earned the bronze medal in the Ballon d'Or in 2009, 2010 and 2011 - only being ousted by the brilliance and domination of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in that time.
The most assists in La Liga for two years on the bounce in 2008-09 and 2009-10, as well as the most in the Champions League in the 2008-09 season, means that he was really in his pomp at that time - also being voted as the Player of the Tournament in EURO 2008 and the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker for four years from 2008-2011.
Honourable Mentions
Some world-class stars almost made the list but didn't quite get in
Steven Gerrard
To not get in the midfield three, according to AI, doesn't necessarily mean you aren't world-class - there are some seriously talented players from present and past in this list.
Claude Makelele would be Matthaus' backup, being labelled as the 'archetype' defensive midfielder, whilst Andrea Pirlo, Michel Platini and Frank Rijkaard are all in with a shout.
Andres Iniesta also gets a mention, but doesn't quite get in ahead of either teammate Xavi or Zidane, whilst English duo Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard make the 'nearly list'. Luka Modric, Kevin de Bruyne, Clarence Seedorf and Fernando Redondo round off those who have just missed out.
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 02-07-25.