Believed by many to be the greatest attacker to ever grace the beautiful game, when Brazilian legend Ronaldo was asked to pick his all-time best starting XI, you could expect many big names from the football world, both past and present, to make his list.
And he did not disappoint. Including a plethora of attacking talents from the different eras, the biggest name on the list was Brazil great Pele. Ronaldo also named World Cup-winning Argentine Diego Maradona, France’s Zinedine Zidane, Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer, three-time Ballon d’Or recipient Johan Cruyff, and the late Alfredo Di Stefano.
In goal, Ronaldo entrusted Atletico Bilbao icon José Ángel Iribar Cortajarena in between the sticks, with Paolo Maldini and Cafu safeguarding the Dream Team’s back line.
The more stand-out choices were the inclusion of Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Xavi, the only two active players in Ronaldo’s selection.
Ronaldo de Lima picks his all-time best starting XI, naming Messi, Pele, and Maradona in his list
One big absentee from the former Barcelona and Real Madrid attacker’s list, however, was Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Did he deserve a spot on Ronaldo’s starting eleven? Share your thoughts.
