One of the greatest football players of all time, Lionel Messi, once named his top three Premier League players from his time. Despite never having played in the English Premier League, Messi has always shown his respect for the league and its players.

The Argentine legend named Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, and Sergio Aguero as the best players of 2012. When asked about his thoughts on the Premier League in an interview, Messi, who at the time was already a double Ballon d’Or winner, made the statement.

“The Premier League has a number of talented players, including my friend Kun Aguero. “I think he plays really well,” Messi remarked. “Rooney and Van Persie are playing really well — they are great players.”

Given his position and the importance of his viewpoint in the football community, his comments immediately attracted notice.

Messi had an impressive career full of records and trophies. He presently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. The attacker, who previously played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has won eight Ballon d’Or honors, won multiple local and continental championships, and won a World Cup with Argentina.

To the dismay of many English football supporters, Messi never got the opportunity to play in the Premier League despite doing nearly everything on the field. His appreciation of Premier League quality, however, has always been evident.

One of Messi’s closest pals and a longstanding Argentina teammate, Sergio Aguero, was prominent among the people he highlighted. During his tenure at Manchester City, Aguero scored 260 goals in 390 games, becoming the team’s all-time top scorer. Five Premier League championships, six League Cups, and an FA Cup during his tenure at City solidified his reputation as one of the best attackers in English football history.

Another guy Messi emphasized was Wayne Rooney, who played a crucial role for Manchester United. With 253 goals, Rooney is still United’s all-time top scorer. Rooney won five Premier League championships, a UEFA Champions League trophy, and other domestic cups during his remarkable career. A fan favorite and a constant threat on the field, Rooney was renowned for his adaptability, technical prowess, and leadership.

The third player on Messi’s list, Robin van Persie, established himself at Manchester United and Arsenal. The Dutch forward was renowned for his ability to score goals from nearly anywhere on the field and for his precision finishing. In addition to winning the Premier League Golden Boot twice, Van Persie was instrumental in United’s 20th league championship in the 2012–2013 campaign. Van Persie’s impact and genius in his prime were indisputable, even though he only won one Premier League championship.

Messi was chosen because of his style of play, ability to leave a lasting impression on the league, and statistical accomplishments.

Messi has continued to follow European football despite working overseas since he made the remarks. Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, Messi’s former Barcelona colleagues, have joined him at Inter Miami, which is co-owned by David Beckham. He started a new chapter in his career when he moved to Major League Soccer, and since then, he has continued to enthrall fans everywhere.

All three of the players Messi listed are now retired, but they are still significant personalities in the game. After retiring early because of a cardiac problem, Aguero moved into the media and into ambassadorial positions. Rooney has dabbled with management, most notably serving as a coach in the US and England. Van Persie has continued to be active in football, coaching at Feyenoord and helping to nurture the next generation of players.

Messi’s recognition of Premier League players is still noteworthy, particularly in light of the ongoing discussion among fans about who the greatest players of all time are in all leagues. Football fans are still reminded of the enduring legacy of Aguero, Rooney, and Van Persie by his words.

The competitive passion and widespread awe that the English game inspires are reflected in Messi’s regard for the Premier League and its players as his own career draws to a close. His frank and perceptive analysis has endured, emphasizing the influence these players had on English football as well as the international scene.