From Ronaldo to Messi: Check out the players who made it to the greatest UEFA Champions League XI

First Published Feb 25, 2021, 6:15 PM IST

The UEFA Champions League is the most incredible European club football competition of all time. German champion Bayern Munich is the defending champion, while Spanish champion Real Madrid has won it on record 13 occasions. Many legendary players have lifted the coveted trophy.

When it comes to the most remarkable European club football tournament, the UEFA Champions League has to be it. Owing to the premier quality of football Europe and the competition delivers, it is the most-watched club football tourney worldwide.
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To date, numerous sides have won the coveted title, while Spanish champion Real Madrid is the greatest champion of all time, having won it on record 13 instances. Similarly, it has seen some legendary players play to date.
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However, what could possibly be the greatest UCL XI of all time? According to a fan poll conducted by BBC Sport, it has been revealed that the ideal playing formation would be 4-3-3.
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As for the goalkeeper, 32% of the fans voted for Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon over Iker Casillas and Edwin van der Sar.
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The defence contains AC Milan's Paolo Maldini (73%) and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos (52%). They are paired with Barcelona's Dani Alves (40%) and Madrid's Roberto Carlos (40%).
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Barcelona's Andres Iniesta (53%) and Xavi (40%) dominate the line-up in the midfield. They are supported by Madrid's Zinedine Zidane (63%).
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The forward line-up is a no-brainer, with Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (90%) and Barca's Lionel Messi (88%). To partner them is a surprise legend from Arsenal, Thierry Henry, who barely makes it to the XI, surpassing Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski, despite The Gunners having never won the title.
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