The distinguished French news outlet selected Cristiano Ronaldo but left out Lionel Messi
After 30, no footballer can perform the same action. The fitness level moves down as growing age weakens a player physically. Running fast, shooting hard or brisk reflexes fade away post the age of 30. However, two professionals have kept their form at 33 and 35 and they are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Indeed, both of them have failed to generate the same fascination in the recent years and they have also failed to secure the Ballon d’Or but till date, they are still recognized as the finest in the books of many.
Sadly, the prominent French news outlet L’Equipe has left Lionel Messi out from their best XI team. However, Cristiano Ronaldo has been awarded a position in the line-up.
Why Messi was left out?
There’s no doubt that the last season of Barcelona and Lionel Messi has been a degrading one as they encountered an embarrassing 8-2 defeat at the hands of the German team Bayern Munich. That’s not all, as the famed Spanish club and the Argentinean star failed to achieve a single crown in the year. Furthermore, Messi’s rapport with Barcelona was in dispute when the former announced to quit the club during the summer transfer season. However, his intention was thwarted because of numerous clauses in his contract.
How Cristiano made it to the team?
Although Lionel Messi had trouble on and off the pitch, he scored 31 times across all the European tournaments. However, Cristiano Ronaldo got the better of him as the Portugal star scored 37 goals and picked-up the Serie A league title with Juventus. A cup and higher goals earned Cristiano Ronaldo a rank in the best XI of L’Equipe.
Who are the other players on the team?
To begin with, L’Equipe selected a 4-4-2 formation and elected Manuel Neuer as their goalkeeper. The defence area is operated by Davies (Bayern), Ramos (Real Madrid) and the pair of Dijk-Arnold from Liverpool. In the midfield, PSG’s Neymar is identified on the left arm and Manchester City’s De Bruyne takes the right side. Between them, Bayern’s Alcantara and Kimmich has been chosen to execute the task of playmaking. The remaining two performers are Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.
The side chosen by L’Equipe comprise five athletes from Bayern, one performer from La Liga, three players from Premier League, one competitor from Ligue 1 and one from Serie A.
