Ronaldinho, one of the greatest footballers of all time, is known for his illustrious career representing some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Barcelona, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain. He also had a successful international career, winning the World Cup and the Copa America with Brazil. Ronaldinho’s influence on the pitch led him to claim several individual accolades, including two FIFA The Best Men’s Player of the Year awards and the sought-after Ballon d’Or. To celebrate his outstanding legacy, let’s take a look back at his favorite all-time Champions League XI.
Ronaldinho picked his team back in 2015, and he couldn’t resist a strong Brazilian flavor. The team includes quite possibly the greatest goalkeeper of all time, Gianluigi Buffon, who is still going strong at the age of 45. Buffon has made 124 Champions League appearances, keeping 53 clean sheets in his glittering career. However, he has never won the tournament.
Ronaldinho’s former Brazil teammate, Roma and AC Milan legend Cafu, gets the nod at right-back. He played 54 times in Europe’s elite competition across six seasons in Italy and won the title in 2006-07. John Terry starts in defense for Ronaldinho’s team. JT played 109 times across 13 seasons in the Champions League – finally winning the title in 2010-11. The England legend knows all about Ronaldinho too, having scored a late goal to cancel out the Brazilian’s stunning strike in the 2005 last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge.
Arguably the greatest center-half to ever lace up a pair of boots, Paolo Maldini was famously the defender who “never tackled.” Maldini played in eight Champions League (and European Cup) finals – winning five – including bouncing back from losing the Miracle of Istanbul in 2005 to beat the same Liverpool side two years later. Adding to the Samba vibe is left-footed, free-kick god Roberto Carlos. The Brazilian played 103 times in the Champions League with Real Madrid and Fenerbahce, winning twice with the LaLiga giants.
The second of three Chelsea players on the list, Frank Lampard makes the cut over the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta – the Brazilian’s former Barcelona teammates – in the team. Lampard, now boss at Everton, played 105 times in the Champions League, winning the 2011-12 trophy to boot. Making the XI ahead of the likes of Zinedine Zidane is Brazilian tormentor Kaka. The attacking midfielder was at his peak in the mid-2000s, during his time at AC Milan and Real Madrid – but won just one title, the 2006-07 triumph. Before N’Golo Kante came on the scene, Claude Makelele was the man making CDM sexy again – with the position even known as “The Makelele Role” to this day. During his time at Chelsea and Real Madrid, the Frenchman played 84 times in the Champions League, winning the crown in 2001-02.
Lionel Messi, who Ronaldinho assisted for his first-ever professional goal, makes it to the team. The pair tore things up in Spain for years afterward. A man who needs no introduction, Messi has made 156 Champions League appearances to date, winning four titles across 18 seasons. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is now seeking his fifth title as PSG make another attempt to claim their first European trophy.
The “original,” Brazilian Ronaldo makes the team in place of Cristiano. Ronaldo played 40 times in the Champions League with Real Madrid and Barcelona, scoring 14 times but never winning the trophy. Thierry Henry, the Arsenal legend, finishes off the XI. The Gunners hero played 73 times in the Champions league, scoring 35 times – but never won the trophy with Arsenal, before finally winning towards the end of his career in Barcelona.
In conclusion, Ronaldinho’s favorite all-time Champions League XI is a star-studded lineup that includes some of the greatest footballers of all time. The team is a testament to Ronaldinho’s love for Brazilian players and his appreciation for their skills on the pitch. It is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest footballers of all time.