Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff left Lionel Messi out of his all-time Best XI
Johan Cruyff passed away in March of 2016, but his much-anticipated autobiography is in stores soon. In the posthumously released book, Cruyff tells some fantastic stories, including his claim that he rescued Pep Guardiola from being sold to a second division club. The biggest takeaway though? Cruyff named his all-time best XI, and there's no Lionel Messi to be found.
Cruyff's best XI reads as follows: Lev Yashin; Carlos Alberto, Beckenbauer, Pep Guardiola, Ruud Krol; Alfredo di Stéfano, Bobby Charlton, Garrincha; Maradona, Pelé, Piet Keizer.
The common theme? None of the players in his XI are still in action, which makes sense. When he was alive, despite his love and admiration for Messi, the Dutchman was quick to quash any talk of the little Argentine as the best ever, calling it "too early."
Cruyff has long been known as a man of his word, and the XI he selected in his book reflects that. Messi could very well be the best player in history, but in Cruyff's world, that distinction can't be made until he hangs up his boots and calls it quits.
Were Cruyff still alive by the time Messi and his nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo retired, he might've selected the both of them in his team:
Cruyff's book, My Turn: A Life of Total Football, releases November 29th.
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