Drogba missing as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane named in Champions League greatest XI

Drogba missing as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane named in Champions League greatest XI

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:43 PM
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- Lionel Messi was voted alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League greatest XI

- In the midfield are star-studded trio of Zinedine Zidane, Andres Iniesta and Xavi

- Paolo Maldini and Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos are also voted to make in the team

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Lionel Messi and his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo have both been voted by fans in the Champions League greatest XI of all-time.

UK outlet BBC shortlisted players who made more than 60 appearances in the competition and have featured in at least one final.

Fans were allowed to vote for their best players in each position to make up a 4-3-3 formation.

Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon edged Iker Casillas into second place while Edwin van der Sar came third in the goalkeeping position.

In the heart of defence, AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini and Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos are voted to be in the team.

Ex-Barcelona defender Dani Alves was selected to play at right-back, while Brazil legend Roberto Carlos was named as the left-back.

In the midfield are Andres Inesta, Xavi and Zinedine Zidane, while in the attack are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Joining Messi and Ronaldo in the trident attack force is Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who narrowly edged his place in the team.

According to BBC Sport, Ronaldo was the top pick at both left wing and as the striker.

Drogba missing as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zidane named in Champions League greatest XI
Lionel Messi poses with the Champions League trophy. Photo: Pressefoto Ulmer
Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile, Ronaldo becomes the first man to score at least 25 goals in 14 straight seasons as he continues to write his name in gold in football history.

His brace and one goal from Weston McKennie were all the Old Lady needed to clinch maximum points at the end of the meeting.

The 36-year-old broke the deadlock in the 38th minute and completed his double in the added minutes of the opening half.

Ronaldo's second goal was another phenomenon after suspending himself in the air for a moment before heading the ball into the back of the net.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is now third in the Champions League all-time scorers' chart following his goal against Lazio on Tuesday night, February 23.

The 32-year-old inspired the Bundesliga giants to put one foot in the quarter-finals of the competition following a 4-1 thrashing of the Serie A side Lazio.

Lewandowski’s goal in the encounter means he has now scored 72 goals in the prestigious competition overtaking Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez in the all-time scoring chart, with only Lionel Messi and Ronaldo ahead of him.

Babajide is a digital publishing expert, an avid sports content thinker, researcher and writer. He is a graduate of Guidance and Counselling, having bagged his B.SC (ED) from the Ekiti State University. He can be reached on Twitter @JideOrevba

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Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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