Ronaldo De Lima Abandons C.Ronaldo As Messi Features In His All-Time Dream Team

Thursday, 1 January 2015

Ronaldo De Lima Abandons C.Ronaldo As Messi Features In His All-Time Dream Team

Brazil icon Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima appears to be trying to keep everybody happy after revealing that his ultimate team contains three Argentines, two Real Madrid heroes, two ex-Barcelona stars and a couple of Luis Enrique’s current squad.

During an interview with Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, the 38-year-old, who also enjoyed a spell at the Nou Camp, picked just two of his compatriots in his all-time dream team.

Opting for a fashionable 3-4-3 diamond formation, Ronaldo chose Athletic Bilbao legend Jose Angel Iribar in goal. The former Spain No 1 made 466 appearances for the Basque side, helping them to Copa del Rey triumphs in 1969 and 1973.

Here is the dream team.

Goalkeeper: Jose Angel Iribar

Spanish goalkeeper who played for Athletic Bilbao between 1962 and 1980. Won 49 caps for his country and two Copa del Rey trophies for his club.

Right back: Cafu

Best known for his spells in Serie A with Roma and AC Milan. Represented Brazil 142 times and won the World Cup twice in 1994 and 2002.

Centre back: Franz Beckenbauer

Won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich before moving to New York Cosmos in 1977. Captained West Germany to victory in the 1974 World Cup.

Left back: Paolo Maldini

Played more than 600 games for AC Milan before retirning in 2009. Earned 126 caps for his country and won the Serie A title seven times.

Centre midfield: Xavi

Another one club man having played for Barcelona for over 16 years. Retired from international duty with Spain last summer after winning 133 caps, two European Championships and the World Cup.

Right midfield: Johan Cruyff

Former Ajax and Barcelona midfielder who has his own turn named after him. Won the Ballon d’Or three times before a successful managerial career with Barca.

Left midfield: Diego Maradona

Argentina legend who played for Barcelona, Napoli and Boca Juniors among other clubs. Won 1986 World Cup as well as two Serie A titles in Italy.

Attacking midfield: Zinedine Zidane

Now in charge of Real Madrid’s B team, he won one La Liga title and the Champions League as a player at the Bernabeu. Helped France to win 1998 World Cup.

Forward: Lionel Messi

Barcelona’s greatest goal-scorer of all time. He has won six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies, plus four Ballon d’Or awards so far.

Forward: Alfredo di Stefano

Real Madrid legend who won eight league titles during his time in the Spanish capital. Died aged 88 in July 2014.

Forward: Pele

Former Santos striker widely regarded as the world’s best-ever player. He won three World Cups with Brazil and earned 92 caps for his country across 14 years.