Before Crisitano, there was only one Ronaldo and for those who are a little younger, let it be known:
The original Ronaldo was as good as it gets. The greatest striker of his generation played for AC Milan, Inter, Barcelona AND Real Madrid. It is testament to his phenomenal abilities that he is loved by supporters of all four clubs (perhaps excluding Milan, where he spent only one injury-ravaged campaign; still, he did manage nine goals in 20 games).
Ronaldo's 'Best XI' features many of those he actually played with throughout a distinguished career which saw him win - amongst various other trophies - two FIFA World Cups.
Let's get started...
The original Ronaldo was as good as it gets. The greatest striker of his generation played for AC Milan, Inter, Barcelona AND Real Madrid. It is testament to his phenomenal abilities that he is loved by supporters of all four clubs (perhaps excluding Milan, where he spent only one injury-ravaged campaign; still, he did manage nine goals in 20 games).
Ronaldo's 'Best XI' features many of those he actually played with throughout a distinguished career which saw him win - amongst various other trophies - two FIFA World Cups.
Let's get started...
11. Gianluigi Buffon
 |
Still the most expensive goalkeeper of all-time, still one of the greatest 'keepers in world football.
10. Paolo Maldini
 |
Perhaps the greatest one-club man in football history, Paolo Maldini's trophy haul with his beloved AC Milan speaks for itself:
He won the Champions League five times, Serie A seven times and the Coppa Italia once; add to that a variety of other cups and his total reaches 26 trophies.
Legend. End of.
He won the Champions League five times, Serie A seven times and the Coppa Italia once; add to that a variety of other cups and his total reaches 26 trophies.
Legend. End of.
9. Fabio Cannavaro
 |
Only behind Buffon as Italy's all-time appearance leader, Cannavaro won
the Ballon d'Or in 2006, making him the only defender to do so in a
decade.
He was Italy's captain when they won the World Cup that same year and he played for a host of prestigious clubs, none more so than Juventus and Real Madrid.
He was Italy's captain when they won the World Cup that same year and he played for a host of prestigious clubs, none more so than Juventus and Real Madrid.
8. Cafu
 |
The
most internationally capped Brazilian player of all time (142), he won
the World Cup twice (1994, 2002), the latter as captain. He is, to date,
the only player to have appeared in three consecutive World Cup finals.
7. Roberto Carlos
 |
Cafu on the right, Roberto Carlos on the left. It doesn't really get much better than that.
Known
for his powerful free-kicks, Carlos is a Brazil and Real Madrid
legend; it was his cross that eventually found the left boot of the next
entrant on Ronaldo's list...
6. Zinedine Zidane
 |
...Zinedine Zidane's spectacular volley proved to be the winner in the
2001/2 Champions League final, with Madrid beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.
Zizou has scored in two World Cup finals (winning one) and is a three-time Ballon d'Or winner. The greatest player of his generation, he is now manager of Real Madrid, whom he led to Champions League glory in his first attempt.
Zizou has scored in two World Cup finals (winning one) and is a three-time Ballon d'Or winner. The greatest player of his generation, he is now manager of Real Madrid, whom he led to Champions League glory in his first attempt.
5. Andrea Pirlo
 |
Two Champions League titles. six league titles, two with AC Milan, four with Juventus.
World Cup winner with Italy, 2006.
His name is Andrea Pirlo and he is magnificence personified.
World Cup winner with Italy, 2006.
His name is Andrea Pirlo and he is magnificence personified.
4. Diego Maradona
 |
Diego Armando Maradona really needs no introduction.
After pretty much winning the World Cup in 1986 single-handedly, the Argentine would go on to win two league titles at tiny Napoli, further cementing his place in football history.
After pretty much winning the World Cup in 1986 single-handedly, the Argentine would go on to win two league titles at tiny Napoli, further cementing his place in football history.
3. Lionel Messi
 |
Another Argentinian god and perhaps the closest contender to King Diego's throne, Messi is a living legend.
He will probably go down as the greatest club player ever, if not the best overall. Having set the kind of standards that have never been seen before, he seems set to maintain them this season with two goals against Real Betis in Barcelona's first La Liga game of the new season.
He will probably go down as the greatest club player ever, if not the best overall. Having set the kind of standards that have never been seen before, he seems set to maintain them this season with two goals against Real Betis in Barcelona's first La Liga game of the new season.
2. Pelé
 |
650 goals in 694 club games.
77 goals in 91 games for his country Brazil.
A three-time World Cup winner.
His name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento (aka Pelé) and he is many people's pick as the greatest ever.
77 goals in 91 games for his country Brazil.
A three-time World Cup winner.
His name is Edson Arantes do Nascimento (aka Pelé) and he is many people's pick as the greatest ever.
1. Ronaldo
 |
He has every right to pick himself. The perfect combination of power,
pace and finishing ability, Ronaldo's single season at Barcelona (which
saw him plunder 34 goals in 37 games) goes down as perhaps the greatest
personal display in a lone campaign from any player, ever.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's idol growing up, he openly admits he based many of his skills on Ronaldo's fancy footwork; had Ronaldo not suffered so many injuries, it's fair to presume he would be put in the same bracket as Maradona and Pele.
Zidane's pick as the best he played with, in short, Ronaldo changed the perception of what a striker could do, and he would often beat teams single-handedly.
Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, we salute both you and your wonderful selection!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's idol growing up, he openly admits he based many of his skills on Ronaldo's fancy footwork; had Ronaldo not suffered so many injuries, it's fair to presume he would be put in the same bracket as Maradona and Pele.
Zidane's pick as the best he played with, in short, Ronaldo changed the perception of what a striker could do, and he would often beat teams single-handedly.
Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima, we salute both you and your wonderful selection!
No comments:
Post a Comment