"Abu Bakr is our chief, and the best of us, and the most beloved of us to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)."
Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 49, Hadith 52
← Previous Hadith that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "I free myself of the friendship of every Khalil, and if I were to take a Khalil then I would have taken Ibn Abi Quhafah as a Khalil. And indeed your companion is Allah's Khalil."

Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 49, Hadith 51 Next Hadith → "I said to 'Aishah: 'Which of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) were the most beloved to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?' She said: 'Abu Bakr.' I said: 'Then who?' She said: ''Umar.' I said: "Then who?' She said: 'Then Abu 'Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah.'" He said: "I said: 'Then who?''" He said: "Then she was silent."

Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 49, Hadith 53