GiveMeSport
·1 July 2022
GiveMeSport
·1 July 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are the two greatest footballers to have ever played the game.
We’re not going to get into an argument over who is better right now but it’s clear the two superstars aren’t at the peak of their powers these days.
Ronaldo, 37, was unable to win a trophy during a wretched season for Manchester United despite scoring 24 goals in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Messi only managed 11 goals in his debut season for Paris Saint-Germain – his worst return since the 2005/06 campaign.
That’s why neither were in contention for the No.1 spot when earlier this week.
Ronaldo was ranked at No.21, while Messi had to settle for No.26.
On the back of the rankings, Marca have created an XI of the best players in the 2021/2 campaign based on the votes of the 71 members of the jury.
Ronaldo and Messi don’t feature.
Instead, the XI is dominated by Champions League finalists Real Madrid and Liverpool as well as a few from Premier League champions, Manchester City.
Check out the XI below:
There can be very little complaints that Courtois gets the goalkeeper’s position considering his performance in the Champions League final.
Alexander-Arnold had a really strong season for Liverpool with 12 Premier League assists and some world class performances as the Reds did the domestic cup double.
Cancelo edged out Any Robertson to take the left back spot. The Portuguese proved to be an attacking threat in 21/22 with 10 assists in all competitions.
Van Dijk was back to his very best last season, returning from his serious knee injury. The best defender in the world.
Alaba is perhaps a bit of a surprise inclusion but his performance to help Real Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League can’t be ignored.
Rodri’s incredible season has gone a little under the radar for us. He was instrumental in Man City winning the Premier League title.
Modric has aged like a fine wine. Still going strong at 36 years old and helped Real win yet another Champions League.
De Bruyne’s form in the second half of the season was scarily good. It earned him the 2021/22 Premier League Player of the Season.
Vinicius enjoyed a real breakthrough season with 22 goals in all competitions. The Champions League final match-winner is still only 21.
Salah was undoubtedly the best player in world football during the first half of the campaign. However, his goalscoring rate slowed after returning from the African Cup of Nations and he ended the season with 31 goals in all competitions.
What a season for the 34-year-old. Benzema scored 44 goals in all competitions – 12 more goals than his previous best goalscoring season in 2011/12. The Frenchman looks set to land the Ballon d’Or.
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