Gonzalo Higuain has overlooked Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when picking his top three players in world football today.
The former Juventus and Real Madrid striker, now at Inter Miami in the MLS, is one of a select group of 13 players who had the pleasure of playing alongside both Messi and Ronaldo.
The pair of titans have dominated European football for more than a decade, with eleven Ballon d'Or wins between them.
But even with both still going strong today as they enter the final stage of their careers, Higuain omitted the duo and instead praised Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema and Erling Haaland.
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As per AS, Higuain told ESPN: "Currently, for me, the best are Lewandowski, Haaland and Benzema. Karim has been there for a long time, in the elite for 12 years.
"Lewandowski, where he played, scored and won. Haaland is a great promise, with a great future. He surprised me, he is a great striker."
Higuain then name-dropped a few other striking greats in this generation but said nobody came close to Brazilian legend Ronaldo Nazario, who was idol growing up.
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"In history we have Suárez, Lewandowski, Cavani, Benzema, David Villa, Ibrahimovic," Higuain added.
"And the best one who, ironically speaking, is in heaven: Ronaldo (Nazario). I always wanted to be Ronaldo, I always wanted to copy him."
Compatriot Messi did get a mention but Ronaldo, who Higuain played with at both Real Madrid and Juventus, was snubbed completely.
On Messi, Higuain said: "It's magical. Everything is natural. He was born that way, it's in his DNA , he does everything effortlessly. Things that everyone has to fight for, Leo does them naturally That is what makes it unique. "
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Higuain, who had loan spells with Chelsea and AC Milan, made the switch to the United States with David Beckham's Inter Miami franchise at the start of the year.
He's scored one goal in nine appearances thus far.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi, Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid