Xavi, Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo Nazario form part of the 'Ballon d'Or Dream Team'. This Monday, December 14, France Football has released the details of the 11 players in this historical lineup.
With a 3-4-3 formation, FC Barcelona have left their mark in midfield and up front. This is the 11: Yashin, Cafú, Beckenbauer, Maldini, Xavi, best defensive midfielder ever, Matthaus, Pelé, Maradona, best attacking midfielder ever, Messi, best right winger, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldo Nazario, best centre-forward.
Given that this year there will be no annual edition of the Ballon d'Or, the prestigious award given by France Football and with Leo Messi as the record holder with a total of six, the French magazine decided to carry out, for the first time, the 'Ballon d'Or Dream Team', where 170 journalists from around the world chose the best 11 in the history of football.
23 players that have been at Barça were in the running for this 11
Lilian Thuram (Barça 2006-08) Ronald Koeman (1989-95), Sergio Busquets (2008-present), Pep Guardiola (1990-01), Johan Neeskens (1974-79), Bernd Schuster (1980-88), Luis Suárez Miramontes (1953-61), the winner Xavi Hernández (1998-15), Gica Hagi (1994-96), Andrés Iniesta (2002-18), Ladislao Kubala (1950-62), the winner Diego Armando Maradona (1982-84), Samuel Eto'o (2004-09), Luis Figo (1995-00), the chosen one Leo Messi (2004-present), Thierry Henry (2007-10), Rivaldo (1997-02), Ronaldinho (2003-08), Hristo Stoichkov (1990-98), Johan Cruyff (1973-78), Sándor Kocsis (1958-65), Romario (1993-94) and the winner Ronaldo Nazario (1996-97).
Without a doubt, Barça have always been a team full of world stars recognised with awards. This time France Football magazine has honoured Xavi, Messi, Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario, but it should be noted that Barça are the team with the most Ballon d'Or's in history: 12. Leo Messi (6), Johan Cruyff (2), Luis Suárez Miramontes, Hristo Stoichkov, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. Other players with a Barça past won when they were no longer part of the club: Cruyff (apart from the two he got as a culer), Figo and Ronaldo on two occasions.