Former Real Madrid star, Karim Benzema, has caused a stir online when selecting his all-time XI after the Frenchman excluded Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Karim Benzema All-Time XI
GK: Manuel Neuer
Defence: Dani Alves, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo
Midfield : Claude Makelele, Paul Pogba, Zinedine Zidane
Attack: Ronaldinho, Ronaldo (R9), Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema All-Time XI Breakdown
Manuel Neuer
The German shot-stopper is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers to ever grace the sport, dominating the Bayern Munich box since 2011.
During this time, the 37-year-old has made 496 appearances for the Bundesliga side – winning 11 league titles, two Champions Leagues, five German Cups and seven German Super Cups.
Alongside this, the German international was a key member of his nations 2014 World Cup triumph – playing every minute in the competition.
The Defence
Dani Alves was a member of the Barcelona side that dominated Spanish football, beating Karim Benzema’s Real Madrid side on several occasions.
Over the course of his time in Barcelona, the Brazilian won three Champions Leagues, six La Liga titles and four Copa del Rays – including a treble in 08/09.
The next three defenders will come as no surprise, as Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo were part of formidable backline for several years at Real Madrid – a team Benzema thrived in.
At 40-years-old, Pepe is still playing at the highest level with Porto and became the oldest scorer in Champions League history. During his time in Madrid, the Portuguese icon won three La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues – whilst also winning the 2016 Euros with his country.
Sergio Ramos and Marcelo were also key members, helping Real Madrid win three consecutive Champions League trophies.
The Midfield
In a surprising selection, Benzema has not picked a single member from the midfield trio that he played with for a number of years – Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Instead, the Al Ettihad star has picked three of his fellow countryman, Claude Makelele, Paul Pogba and Zinedine Zidane.
Makelele became a household name and even had a position named after himself, the ‘Makelele role’ due to his industrious work in the centre of midfield.
During his career, the Frenchman won two Premier Leagues, an FA Cup, two League Cups with Chelsea and a Champions League/ two La Liga titles with Real Madrid.
Paul Pogba has been deemed a shocking inclusion, after his recent performances and controversy, as he faces a lengthy ban from football for a failed drugs test.
The 2018 World Cup winner joined Juventus from Manchester United in 2012 and after an impressive spell, winning four consecutive league titles and two Coppa Italia trophies.
In 2016, Pogba re-signed for Manchester United as he broke the transfer fee record (£89m) and in a six-year spell, the France international made 233 appearances – winning the Europa League and League cup.
Next up in Benzema’s squad is one of the best players of all-time, Zinedine Zidane, who was also Benzema’s manager during Real Madrid’s Champions League dominance.
During his playing career, Zidane won the Champions League, two La Liga titles, two Serie A titles and was vital in France’s 1998 World Cup/ 2000 European Championship trumph.
In 1998, the former Real Madrid star was also the Balon D’or winner, a year where he won the World Cup and Serie A title.
The Attack
Brazilian duo, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo have made the team, which may shock people given Benzema’s success with Cristiano Ronaldo and rivalry with Lionel Messi.
Ronaldinho captured football fans’ hearts with his dribbling, flair and trickery, which was also came alongside 197 goals and 166 assists in 544 matches.
The Brazilian superstar also won the Balon D’or in 2005 and the World Cup, Champions League, two La Liga titles and a Serie A title.
His fellow countryman, is debatedly the best striker of all-time and was severely impacted by injuries which cut his career short.
During his time in Europe, Ronaldo scored 272 goals in 402 matches playing for, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, Inter Milan and PSV.
Ronaldo won the Balon D’or twice (1997 & 2002) alongside this, he won two World Cups, two La Liga titles and an Eredivisie title.
Benzema then included himself as the final member, which is understandable as it is his team, but after winning the Balon D’or and five Champions League trophies – it’s hard to argue.
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