Former Manchester United and Ajax goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar once snubbed former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo when naming his favourite footballers to watch ever. The gigantic Dutchman is one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history, making his mark at Old Trafford despite joining the club well into his thirties.
At United, he won four Premier League titles and a Champions League to go alongside the European Cup he had previously won at Ajax, as well as various other honours throughout his career. Despite being one of the best in between the sticks, Van der Sar still enjoyed watching some of the best outfield players through the lens of a fan, and he revealed which five stood out above all else.
Van Der Sar Names Five Greatest Players
Ranking from fifth down to first, Van der Sar kicked things off with the iconic French number 10, Zinedine Zidane. While no further elaboration was given, 'Zizou' was undoubtedly the face of his generation, combining class and supreme technical ability with a nastiness that made him effective in any role given to him.
Perhaps the most surprising inclusion came in at number four, as the Dutchman went for another former teammate in Ryan Giggs. Despite being the most successful Premier League player in history, the Welshman is often remembered for his longevity, with his ability in his prime sometimes being overlooked. However, Van der Sar noted that he loved the way the winger "touched the ball, caressed the ball, the way he got the crosses in and the way he scored."
In third was the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who scored past Van der Sar in two separate Champions League finals. That may be why the Argentine is down for only a bronze medal, though the next two picks suggest the goalkeeper may favour players who inspired him in his youth.
Another Argentine took second place, and if it wasn't going to be Messi, it was always bound to be Diego Maradona. One of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of boots, Maradona starred in an era that Van der Sar would have been far more familiar with growing up.
That left just one spot for the former Fulham man, who went back to his roots:
"I think coming from Amsterdam, coming from Holland, it has to be Johan Cruyff."
The three-time Ballon d'Or winner not only changed the game on the pitch, but off it too, becoming one of the most influential figures in all of the sport.