Best 11 ever in your honest opinion

[Baneofthegame]

----Ronaldo(R9) - Romario
-----------------Zico
----Matthaus-Neeskens
--------------Rijkaard
Maldini-Figueroa-Beckenbuer-Cafu

So good it doesn’t need a goalkeeper.

 

[Ish]

I know its opinions but any team with VVD in is wrong on a million levels. Unless you only started watching football in 2018.

This

 

[luke511]

Schmeichel
Alves - Puyol - Baresi - Maldini
Keane
Zidane - Ronaldinho
Messi - Ronaldo - C.Ronaldo​

 

[Dancfc]

Based on my time and their respective peaks during my time.

Canizares

Alves
Puyol
Nesta
A.Cole

Busquets
Xavi
Iniesta

Messi
R9
CR7

Subs: Buffon, Terry, Lahm, Pirlo, Scholes, Vieira, Ronaldinho, Henry

 

[Tel074]

Sure it has done many times before, but let's pick your best 11, based on your honest opinions, but not by reputation.

For example, you are free to choose anyone from the older generation, like Puskas, Di Stefano, Gento, Yashin from 50's to early 60's, etc. But since there are very very few footage from those past greats, unless you live through that age and are over 70 years old now, its impossible to tell how good they were based on your honest opinions, so you shouldn't include those based on reputation alone. But you still can include those who you think you've watched enough footage of to form a honest opinion (ie Cruyff, Beckenbauer and even Pele, Best from late 60s to 70s' etc)

On the other hand, any current players, even without any notable achievement, and not anywhere near GOAT, you can also include them, as long as you honestly think they work best in your system,

Also, if you choose modern 433, stick with it, and don't include a few great no.10 AM there, it doesn't work in that system at all. Or otherwise, chose 4411, 41212, 4312, 4231 or 3412 etc, you can play the best no.10 you want there.

I''ll get it started first:

433
Schmeichel
Cafu VVD Beckenbauer Maldini
Rikjaard
De Bruyne Zidane
Messi Pele Ronaldo
​

I can't play Cruyff and Maradona, 2 of the greatest AM ever, in this system, when I have Messi and Ronaldo as wing forward in modern 433. If I want to include all players I want, might have to change to another formation no one use nowadays:

3223
Schmeichel
Thuram Beckenbauer Maldini
Rikjaard Matthaus
Cruyff Maradona
Messi Pele Ronaldo

​

It's your opinion but in my opinion you are having a complete wobbler having VVD in a greatest ever side and any greatest ever side without Maradona is just a no

 

[JB08]

de Gea

Alexander-Arnold
Baresi
van Dijk
Robertson

Keane
Scholes

Adama Traoré
Maradona
C. Ronaldo
Messi

In their prime, the best players in each position I've ever seen. lol

 

[simplyared]

Shilton

Pierce
Ramos
Rijkaard
Breitner

Matteus
X. Alonso
Gullit

Messi

Ronaldo (R9)
Ronaldinho

Got just about everything that team!

 

[Shark]

Based on my era 433

Big Pete
Rio
Ramos
A.Cole
Alves

Scholes
Busquets
Iniesta

Messi
Ronaldo
Henry

 

[Josh 76]

de Gea

Alexander-Arnold
Baresi
van Dijk
Robertson

Keane
Scholes

Adama Traoré
Maradona
C. Ronaldo
Messi

In their prime, the best players in each position I've ever seen. lol

So you have seen Maradona in his prime. That makes you old enough to see so many greats, yet you pick Robertson and TAA ahead of Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Alves, Maldini. Can't get my head round this. Not going to even mention Traoare. This must be a piss take.

 

[JB08]

So you have seen Maradona in his prime. That makes you old enough to see so many greats, yet you pick Robertson and TAA ahead of Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Alves, Maldini. Can't get my head round this. Not going to even mention Traoare. This must be a piss take.

The way they attack teams from the back is unbelievable and for me, makes them the most skilful and impactful fullbacks of all time. I don't think Alves, Cafu or even Carlos were ever that good going forward. As for Traore, I know it might be a controversial pick but he is so damn quick and his decision making is underrated - I can't think of a better right winger that I've seen in my 40ish years watching the sport.lol

 

[paraguayo]

(...)
Adama Traoré
Maradona
C. Ronaldo
Messi

In their prime, the best players in each position I've ever seen. lol

 

[Bwuk]

From players I’ve seen.

Two unbelievable full backs who can get up and down the pitch to provide the width. Ramos might be debatable but wins big matches, and Rio is the best defender I’ve seen. Edwin as he’s a fantastic communicator and organiser.

Edwin
Alves - Ramos - Ferdinand - Carlos
Keane - Vieira
Scholes
Messi - Drogba - Cristiano​

 

[Vidyoyo]

From the point in time when football first started (1992):

Buffon
Cafu - Nesta - Puyol - R. Carlos
Xavi - Iniesta - Zidane
Messi - R.Naldo9 - Rivaldo​

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

I actually have seen Best play live (testimonial in 79) but not at peak so left out.

Maier

Cafu - Rijkaard - Beckenbauer - Maldini

Messi - Platini - Zidane - C.Ronaldo

Maradona -- Fat.Ronaldo

Close...

Kahn

Thuram - Nesta - Baresi - Krol

Iniesta - Zico - Xavi

Romario - Van Basten - Batistuta

 

[El Jefe]

-------------------------Neuer----------------------------

Alves-------Nesta-------Koeman------Maldini

-------------------------Rijkaard-------------------------
-------------------Xavi---------Laudrup---------------

----------Messi-------Romario----------Neymar


Manager: Pep or Johan Cruyff

Many of these players have already played with each other in a very similar style of play. There wouldn't be issues with sharing the ball or chemistry as there would be in some other 11s.

 

[2mufc0]

--------- Keeper
FB - CB - CB - LB
-------CM- CM -
------Maradona
RW------ CF - - - - LW

 

[VanKenny]

From players I’ve seen.

Two unbelievable full backs who can get up and down the pitch to provide the width. Ramos might be debatable but wins big matches, and Rio is the best defender I’ve seen. Edwin as he’s a fantastic communicator and organiser.

Edwin
Alves - Ramos - Ferdinand - Carlos
Keane - Vieira
Scholes
Messi - Drogba - Cristiano​

You put that midfield against any team with a midfield of Xavi+Iniesta and they are not seeing the ball the entire game.


My team:


----------------------------------Neuer------------------------------------
-------------Ferdinand-------------------------Marquez-------------
Alves-----------------------------------------------------------R.Carlos
--------------------------------Guardiola----------------------------------
-----------------Xavi---------------------------------Iniesta--------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------Messi(false winger)-------------------Ronaldinho--------
--------------------------------------R9----------------------------------------

 

[Isotope]

----------------Ronaldo
Ronaldinho ------------- Messi
--------Xavi ---------Matthaus
----------------Rijkaard
Maldini-Baresi-Beckenbuer-Cafu

 

[2cents]

Buffon

Cafu - Costacurta - Baresi - Maldini

Xavi - Busquets - Iniesta

Messi - Ronaldo - C. Ronaldo

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Why so many troll posts?

If we screw the rules (most) then..

Buffon

Cafu - Nesta - Beckenbauer - Maldini

Desailly -- Robson

Ronaldo7 -- Messi -- Ronaldinho

Ronaldo9
​

*The Cristiano Ronaldo World's Best version at United please~~

 

[NYAS]

Yashin
Cafu
Beckenbauer
Baresi
Maldini
Rijkaard
Xavi
Messi
Maradona
Cristiano Ronaldo
Pelé

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Why so many troll posts?

If we screw the rules (most) then..

Buffon

Cafu - Nesta - Beckenbauer - Maldini

Desailly -- Robson

Ronaldo7 -- Messi -- Ronaldinho

Ronaldo9
​

*The Cristiano Ronaldo World's Best version at United please~~

People like to think they are edgy by not picking Cristiano. He deserves to be in jus as much as Messi.

 

[dal]

Exactly, there's a lot of Liverpool fans on this United forum it seems.

Vvd is good but he still has a lot to prove to be GOAT. Would take Rio any day

Sorry but I’m a Manchester United fan, Vidic and Ferdinand were a brilliant partnership although I did rate Ferdinand higher. At the top of his game Ferdinand had a brilliant reading of the game great recovery pace although prone to the odd lapse in concentration.

However reluctantly, VVD seems to be a hybrid of both of them and yes it’s maybe only two seasons for Liverpool but it’s been two incredible seasons and the guy doesn’t break a sweat. I wish we had him.

 

[MADReaLJL]

Maybe its only my impression, but Beckenbauer isn't just another traditional CB who tends to position himself well along the backline. In modern back 4, I may prefer Vidic, Rio, Nesta, Cannavaro, Stam etc in my best 11 ahead of VVD. But with Beckenbauer adventurous style of build up play, I'd prefer someone who is more all rounded to cover up the back by himself at times. VVD always gives me the impression he can do it all by himself, he is relatively quick, strong, tough, aggressive, with no non-sense approach, he can read situation well, can also bully attackers... or maybe its because he stands out more in Liverpool back 4, which gives me such impression.

In my memories watching Liverpool games, VVD often went forward to press or intercept passes, leaving the other CB at the back.

 

[Champagne Football]

Kahn
Cafu Baresi Maldini R. Carlos
Keane
Ronaldinho Zidane
Messi Ronaldo CR7​

 

[Pav1878]

Sorry but I’m a Manchester United fan, Vidic and Ferdinand were a brilliant partnership although I did rate Ferdinand higher. At the top of his game Ferdinand had a brilliant reading of the game great recovery pace although prone to the odd lapse in concentration.

However reluctantly, VVD seems to be a hybrid of both of them and yes it’s maybe only two seasons for Liverpool but it’s been two incredible seasons and the guy doesn’t break a sweat. I wish we had him.

Fair enough that's your opinion, and I agree he is an amazing player but I think the clue is in the name. GOAT implies someone was at the top of their game for more than 2 seasons. No one else in these lineups has such little time at the top. He may well go on to lift many trophies of several seasons with Liverpool but at the moment I don't think he gets in at this time.

Aside from that, I don't even think he is better than Ferdinand ability wise. But each to their own I guess

 

[11101]

From the late 80s on:

The back 6 undoubtedly work together, as would the front 4, and I can't think of anybody better to protect a defence and link the attack than Seedorf and Rijkaard.

Maybe Xavi - Iniesta - Busquets would be an equal midfield but i don't see them playing as well in a team that would not be setup for possession dominance.

 

[Tel074]

de Gea

Alexander-Arnold
Baresi
van Dijk
Robertson

Keane
Scholes

Adama Traoré
Maradona
C. Ronaldo
Messi

In their prime, the best players in each position I've ever seen. lol

This hahahaha

 

[oneniltothearsenal]

So good it doesn’t need a goalkeeper.

I'd throw in Chilavert there just as a personal preference

 

[VanKenny]

People like to think they are edgy by not picking Cristiano. He deserves to be in jus as much as Messi.

In my case i felt like R10's dribbling going forward would be more useful to break the teams that would for sure park the bus against my tiki taka midfield.

 

[Jim Beam]

Not the best individually, but best team I manage to assemble

 

[harms]

The way they attack teams from the back is unbelievable and for me, makes them the most skilful and impactful fullbacks of all time. I don't think Alves, Cafu or even Carlos were ever that good going forward. As for Traore, I know it might be a controversial pick but he is so damn quick and his decision making is underrated - I can't think of a better right winger that I've seen in my 40ish years watching the sport.lol

Wait, I thought for sure that you were joking!

 

[JB08]

Wait, I thought for sure that you were joking!

It's always difficult to read a joke over the internet - I was indeed joking

 

[mshnsh]

I know it's a matter of opinion but no Zidane or ronaldinho in any lineups whatsoever? Seriously?

People have some short memories.

Zidane is overated. He had a handful of great games.

 

[mshnsh]

My 11 from the ones ive seen would be:

Schmeichel (most commanding goalkeeper i have seen)

Cafu (equally adapt at going forward as he was at defending)
Baresi (simply the best in this position)
Nesta (see baresi)
Lahm (dependable)

Keane (i really believe that in his pomp he was the best in his position, a leader).
Xavi (best controller of the game)
Iniesta (silky and technically brilliant)

Ronaldinho (super skillful, could unlock the tightest defense)
Luis ronaldo (at his best the most formidable no 9 with power, pace, skill, dribbling and finishing)
Messi (a genius, the best in so many aspects of the game such as dribbling, vision, creativity and a great goalscorer as well as a scorer of great goals)

If you consider longevity, id replace Ronaldinho with Cristiano and Luis Ronaldo with etoo, suarez or henry. But only considering the players at their peak ronaldinho > cristiano and luis ronaldo > the other no 9s.

Honourable mentions include the ones ive mentioned (Cristiano, Suarez, Henry and Etoo) plus Vidic, Maldini, Ferdinand, Buffoon, Rivaldo, Baggio, Ashley Cole, Evra, Viera, Ayala, Redondo, Carlos, Robben, Ribery and many others.

 

[OutlawGER]

Players i have seen.
Everyone considered in their prime/best form
I have to pick a team, to win a game against an alien team.
I have some preparation time.


----------------------- Kahn -----------------------
Lahm --- Matthäus ----- Maldini ------ R. Carlos
----------- Ballack ---------- Vieira ---------------
Robben -------------- Messi ---------------- Ronaldinho
--------------------- Ronaldo#9 ----------------------------

I might consider:
- switchting Lahm to LB, replacing Carlos with Cafu RB.
- Replacing C. Ronaldo with Ronaldinho. Barcas LW Ronaldinho was maybe the best player i have ever seen. Well, as i write it, i have made my decision. CR7 is replaced.




If i had no preparation time, i would just pick parts of the best teams i have witnessed together.


-------------------------------------- Neuer ---------------------------------------
Lahm -------- Boateng ------------------- Ramos ----------- Alba
------------ Schweini --------------------- Xavi --------------------------
Robben ---------------- Iniesta -------------------------------- Ribery
------------------------------ Messi --------------------------------------

Something like this, with the front 4 constantly switching positions and the infamous false nine.

This team is not as flashy as the first, but it would probably beat it 9/10, with high score lines.

 

[Pav1878]

Zidane is overated. He had a handful of great games.

Oooooo....kaaaaay.....

 

[Infordin]

Pele

Cristiano - Maradona - Messi

Xavi - Matthaus

Maldini - Baresi - Beckenbauer - Cafu

Yashin​

 

[Infordin]

Is vvd just liverpool fans way of sticking one of their own in

Is there any Liverpool legend, past or present, who has a case for this starting XI? I feel like Liverpool haven't really had any true greats play for them.

Real Madrid - CR7, R9, Zidane
AC Milan - Rijkaard, Maldini, Baresi
Juventus - Platini, Buffon
Man United - Best, CR7
Barcelona - Messi, Ronaldinho, Maradona, R9
Bayern - Beckenbauer, Matthaus

Perhaps I just sound like a complete ignoramus but I cannot put any Liverpool players, past or present, on this level. Maybe Dalglish?

 

[Ludens the Red]

Is there any Liverpool legend, past or present, who has a case for this starting XI? I feel like Liverpool haven't really had any true greats play for them.

Real Madrid - CR7, R9, Zidane
AC Milan - Rijkaard, Maldini, Baresi
Juventus - Platini, Buffon
Man United - Best, CR7
Barcelona - Messi, Ronaldinho, Maradona, R9
Bayern - Beckenbauer, Matthaus

Perhaps I just sound like a complete ignoramus but I cannot put any Liverpool players, past or present, on this level. Maybe Dalglish?

Correct, Keegan maybe? He’s got that universal European acclaim and even won the award. But generally you’re right they’ve never had anyone dazzling to the point of greatness. Such a shame.