Ronaldo is considered in draft games as a versatile superman capable of playing in multiple systems either up on his own or in a front two.
The question is which side would allow him to showcase his skills to the max?
You would just think it's loads of supreme passers threading him in time and time again, but perhaps that's a lazy way to think. I mean, Ronaldo played intricate football with anyone who was capable of it, and his pinnacle was Romario at Copa '97, as far as grandstands go... or perhaps Rivaldo at either World Cup? Although I would say he and Romario looked like the superfluous joga bonito of the 80's in perfect sync with each other and effectively un-containable as a duo, not just because they were brilliant individuals, but because the chains were so fast and unpredictable that defences could barely keep eyes on them, for that reason, Romario has to be in the team.
Next, it's time for two supreme, ball-playing attacking midfielders who were both off the scale in terms of intelligence and combination play. Platini mightn't play ball in terms of allowing others to supersede him in the glory stakes, but I don't think he would have to once he and Romario came to an understanding via the beautiful footballing spectacle they could put on for the watching world. Ronaldo was selfless, so I don't think he'd really give a feck about the goals being spread around the 3 of them and Laudrup loved to create, which would be music to the ears of the goalscoring trio.
Behind them, the magic square is completed by two more Brazilians of the highest pedigree. The speed the ball would be pinged around this team would be jaw dropping all the while, a threaded through ball being within an instant of execution combined with Ronaldo's speed would keep the opposing backline completely hemmed in as deep as they can possibly be.
The backline has two more Brazilians in it both renowned for their passing, combination play and intelligence. Junior either going up the flank or filling in for Falcao on a whim. Carlos Alberto being a nightmare in his own right and keeping the right side honest and with a decision to make on whether they play kiss chase with Ronaldo or go and deal with the very real threat of a marauding C. Alberto.
Koeman at the back is a no brainer. Instantaneous counters with a single pass out of the back, or seamless threading to the midfielders in front of him. The opposition are to have a tough time getting at him as a defender when they're so busy concerning themselves with keeping themselves compact and as tight a unit as possible.
Nesta beside him to basically make up for his defensive shortcomings and afford the whole back line to push right up the pitch, further suffocating the opposition and imploring them to try their luck one on one - the onus being him winning that ball back and recycling play immediately to exploit those daring cavaliers who tried their hand.
Probably pretty obvious that the same applies to the GK choice. The best passer out of the back is preferred to the best keeper(s) outright.
---------------------------------------Romario------Ronaldo
---------------------------------------Platini--------Laudrup
---------------------------------------Falcao----------Didi
-----Junior----------------------------------------------------------------------Carlos Alberto
--------------------------------------Koeman---------Nesta
-----------------------------------------Allison/Van Der Sar
I want tears of unfathomable sadness! Delicious tears.
