Messi and both Rons proud to be in best XI

BUENOS AIRES • Lionel Messi, Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo said on Monday that they felt honoured to be named in the greatest team of all time by France Football.

Having cancelled its annual Ballon d'Or award for the world's best footballer because of the coronavirus pandemic, the weekly magazine instead announced its best XI in history, as voted by journalists from 170 countries and regions.

"For me it is an honour to have been included in the XI of the Ballon d'Or Dream Team," Argentinian Messi, who has won the Ballon d'Or a record six times, said in an Instagram post.

"I want to thank you for choosing me and also congratulate all the players who were selected... and all the nominees, there are real phenomena on that list."

As expected, the esteemed line-up included Brazil's three-time World Cup winner Pele and the legendary Argentinian Diego Maradona, who died last month at the age of 60 of a heart attack.

The team also included goalkeeper Lev Yashin; defenders Cafu, Franz Beckenbauer and Paolo Maldini; and midfielders Xavi and Lothar Matthaus.

Brazil's Ronaldo, a two-time World Cup and Ballon d'Or winner, expressed pride at being named in the No. 9 position.

"It's such an honour to be elected the best centre forward of all time in the Dream Team by France Football," he said on Instagram.

"I gave my life for football and followed my dreams. No matter the obstacle I faced and the pain I had to overcome I was always focused to get where I wanted."

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d'Or five times and is a Euro 2016 champion with Portugal, said: "I'm very honoured to be part of France Football's all-time XI. What an amazing Dream Team.

"They all deserve my respect and admiration and I'm obviously proud to be amongst such extraordinary players. Thank you!"

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Lev Yashin

Cafu, Franz Beckenbauer, Paolo Maldini

Lothar Matthaus, Xavi

Diego Maradona, Pele

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo