Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been named among a star-studded cast in the all-time Ballon d’Or XI.
Organisers of the annual prize for the world’s best footballer award, France Football, cancelled this year’s event due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead they chose to name the best team in football history made up of current superstars and legends from yesteryear.
The final XI was determined by a voting system involving journalists from 170 different countries to make up the scintillating line-up.
Leading the line in the three-man attack was legendary Brazil striker Ronaldo, flanked either side by his namesake Cristiano and Messi.
Messi has won the individual award more times than any other player, edging out his long-time Portuguese rival Ronaldo by six wins to five.
The other Ronaldo also won a similar version of the award twice during his illustrious career.
With so many options to choose from at the top end of the field, that pushed global icons Pele and Diego Maradona back into midfield.
They are joined by Germany’s World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus, and Barcelona’s former midfield maestro Xavi. Continue reading