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Lionel Messi has unveiled his so-called ‘dream XI’ of former teammates.
Since making his professional debut in 2004, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has played alongside some of the all-time greats. especially during his time at Barcelona, where he lifted four Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga titles.
At the Nou Camp, he shared the same pitch as some of football’s elite over a trophy-laden 17-year period. In fact, 10 of the 11 players selected in Messi’s team have represented the Catalan club.
As revealed by Goal Arabia via Mundo Deportivo, Messi kicks things off by selecting Marc-Andre ter Stegen as his goalkeeper ahead of Victor Valdes and Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Then, rather unsurprisingly, the Argentine opts to pick former Brazil international Dani Alves at right-back – a player had a near telepathic relationship with on the pitch.
Jordi Alba, who currently plays with Messi at MLS side Inter Miami, features at left-back, while a solid centre-back partnership of Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano make up the back four.
Mascherano may be surprised to feature ahead of Gerard Pique but the former Liverpool defender played a pivotal role for Argentina in their journey to the 2014 World Cup final; something Messi clearly appreciates.
After picking his defence, the boyhood Barcelona forward made his easiest decisions to date. Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta will play in midfield alongside the ever-entertaining Ronaldinho.
Ronaldinho, of course, assisted Messi when he scored his first goal for the club on May 1, 2005 against Albacete.
Barcelona duo Neymar and Luis Suarez, two players that flourished alongside Messi, are two more unsurprising picks while PSG forward Kylian Mbappe, the only non-Barcelona player to feature, makes it into the team over Thierry Henry.
Earlier this year, when Messi was on his way out of the Parc des Princes, Mbappe was full of praise for Messi.
“We’re talking about potentially the best player in the history of football. It’s never good news when someone like Messi leaves,” Mbappe told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Personally I haven’t really understood why so many people were relieved that he was leaving. We’re talking about Messi, he should be respected – but instead, he didn’t get the respect he deserved in France.
“It’s a shame, but that’s how it went. He’ll have to be replaced as best as possible.”