The much anticipated Ballon d’Or Dream Team has been published. Needless to say, Some of the biggest names in Football are there in the starting XI. As Ballon d’Or was not presented this year amid Coronavirus, so organisers decided to select the greatest XI of all time.
Ten players were chosen from every position, from which the best XI was picked up by a panel made up of 140 senior Football journalists from all over the world. As France Football published the list, It has created quite a stir among the football fraternity. So, Let’s look at who made the cut for this prestigious team.
Goalkeeper
Lev Yashin (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic)
The Late Lev Yashin was selected as the goalkeeper for the Ballon d’Or Dream Team by beating the likes of Buffon, Casillas, Gordon Banks. The USSR goalkeeper was the only goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or. The former Dynamo Moskva player was widely known as the “Black Spider”. He inspired a generation back then to become goalkeepers. Thus, The 1963 Ballon d’Or winner makes the list as the last line of defence.
Defenders
Paolo Maldini (Italy)
Italy’s Paolo Maldini is selected as a member of the back 3 of the Ballon d’Or Dream Team, the Italian Left-Back who also played as a Centre-Back is considered by many as the “Greatest Defender of All-time”. So his inclusion seems pretty natural. The Italian has been a rock at the back for both his country and the “Rossoneri”. He was selected from the left-back position for the team.
Cafú (Brazil)
The Brazilian World Cup winner makes the cut for the Ballon d’Or Dream Team as the right-back beating the likes of Carlos Alberto Torres, Djalma Santos, Phillipe Lahm and Lilian Thuram. The World Cup Winning captain of 2002, is the Brazilian with the highest International caps with 142 matches under his belt. The AC Milan defender fits the requirements to be making the cut for this prestigious team.
Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)
The German World Champion was selected as the centre back for the prestigious team. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner is an inspiration to many, He had to face tough competition from Ramos, Dessaily, Baresi and Koeman. The Bayern Munich legend is worthy of a place in the Dream Team.
Midfielders
Xavi (Spain)
The Spanish Maestro is the only representative of Spain’s Golden Generation. He is chosen as the Defensive Midfielder, which has left the fans questioning the choice. The Spanish Genius had led his country to their first World Cup title in 2010. The Barcelona Legend has also won a host of trophies for his club and despite the positioning debate, his credibility is never questioned as he is one of the greatest of all times.
Lothar Matthaus (Germany)
The German is nothing short of a hero to his generation. The 1990 Ballon d’Or winner was a natural choice for the defensive midfield position. The Bayern Munich Legend has been a pillar of Germany in their conquest to win the World Cup 1990. The German has beaten Gerrard, Guardiola, Rijkaard to make his cut in the team.
Diego Maradona (Argentina)
The man needs no description, The Argentine was without a doubt a player who was expected to make the first XI. The Argentine not only led his team to the World Cup in 1986 but also led Napoli to their first league title. This might be the best homage for the legend after his tragic demise a few weeks ago.
Pélé (Brazil)
The Brazilian, according to many, is the Greatest Footballer of All-time, so his inclusion was never a surprise. The three-time World Champion was without a question, an automatic choice for making the starting XI. The Santos Legend has the record of scoring the most number of goals in World Football. The debate between Pele and Maradona will only enrich us in the future.
Forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The 5 times Ballon D’Or winner doesn’t need any special introduction. The Portuguese Superstar has played for a host of Big clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus. The highest scorer of Champions League history is a member who undoubtedly deserves a position in the dream team.
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was another choice in the forward section, The highest scorer in Barcelona’s history has been often compared with Cristiano Ronaldo and without a doubt, their rivalry will come down as one of the greatest of all time. The little magician is a true genius, to be honest.
Ronaldo Nazario (Brazil)
Ronaldo Nazario was a sensational player of his time, There are very few players with brilliance like Ronaldo up front. The number 9 has played a crucial part in leading the Brazil side to their World Cup triumph in 2002. The two-time winner of Ballon d’Or is arguably the best number 9 and faced competition from likes of Van Basten, Romario and Eusebio.
What is your take on the Ballon d’Or Dream Team? Let us know in the comment section below.
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