What would football's ultimate all-time XI look like if the greatest players across generations were selected to play together? In 2020, France Football attempted to answer that question by unveiling the Ballon d'Or Dream Team, a star-studded selection featuring some of the most iconic names in the sport's history.
From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Pelé and Diego Maradona, the teams brought together legendary footballers from different eras. Here's everything you need to know about the Ballon d'Or Dream Team and the legends selected across its three all-time XIs.
What Is the Ballon d'Or Dream Team?
The Ballon d'Or Dream Team was an all-time football XI project organised by France Football in 2020. The initiative was introduced after the traditional Ballon d'Or ceremony was cancelled that year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of presenting the usual individual award, the publication selected the greatest footballers in history for each position. A jury of 140 international journalists helped determine the final teams, with three XIs announced in December 2020.
The selections featured legendary players spanning several generations, from pioneering icons to modern superstars. Here are all three teams in basic listicle format.
1. Ballon d'Or Dream Team – First XI
The first team featured an extraordinary collection of footballing legends, combining defensive icons, midfield maestros and an outstanding attacking trio.
Goalkeeper: Lev Yashin
Left-back: Paolo Maldini
Centre-back: Franz Beckenbauer
Right-back: Cafu
Defensive midfielder: Lothar Matthäus
Defensive midfielder: Xavi
Attacking midfielder: Pelé
Attacking midfielder: Diego Maradona
Left forward: Cristiano Ronaldo
Centre-forward: Ronaldo Nazário
Right forward: Lionel Messi
Lev Yashin, the only goalkeeper to win the men's Ballon d'Or, was selected between the posts. Meanwhile, the attacking line featured three of football's most celebrated goalscorers, with Pelé and Maradona providing additional creativity from midfield.
2. Ballon d'Or Dream Team – Second XI
The second team included several legends who could easily have earned a place in the first XI. It featured World Cup winners, European champions and some of the finest creative players in football history.
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon
Left-back: Roberto Carlos
Centre-back: Franco Baresi
Right-back: Carlos Alberto
Defensive midfielder: Frank Rijkaard
Defensive midfielder: Andrea Pirlo
Attacking midfielder: Alfredo Di Stéfano
Attacking midfielder: Zinedine Zidane
Left forward: Ronaldinho
Centre-forward: Johan Cruyff
Right forward: Garrincha
The second XI boasts remarkable technical quality, particularly through Zidane, Pirlo and Ronaldinho. It also includes Cruyff, whose influence on modern football extends far beyond his achievements as a player.
3. Ballon d'Or Dream Team – Third XI
The third team completed the all-time selection, recognising another group of exceptional footballers whose achievements shaped the sport across different eras.
Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer
Left-back: Paul Breitner
Centre-back: Sergio Ramos
Right-back: Philipp Lahm
Defensive midfielder: Didi
Defensive midfielder: Johan Neeskens
Attacking midfielder: Andrés Iniesta
Attacking midfielder: Michel Platini
Left forward: Thierry Henry
Centre-forward: Marco van Basten
Right forward: George Best
The third XI features a blend of defensive leadership and attacking brilliance. Neuer revolutionised goalkeeping with his sweeper-keeper style, while Iniesta and Platini brought outstanding midfield creativity. Up front, Henry, Van Basten and Best offered exceptional goalscoring ability and individual flair.
Conclusion: Football's Ultimate All-Time Teams
The Ballon d'Or Dream Team celebrated the incredible depth of footballing talent across generations. From Yashin and Beckenbauer to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the three XIs brought together legends who helped define the beautiful game.
Although debates over the greatest players will never end, the selections offer a fascinating snapshot of football history. Which of these three Ballon d'Or Dream Teams would you choose to win an all-time football match?
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