The Ballon d’Or is one of the most personal honor in the world of football, was earlier known as FIFA Ballon d’Or as from 2009 until 2015 the Ballon d’Or & FIFA Player of the Year awards were merged. Up until 1995, the award was often referred to as the European Footballer of the Year award as it was only open to European players at European clubs. The eligibility rules were changed in 1995 to allow non-European players to be eligible for the award if they played for a European club. Then in 2007, any player in the world became eligible.
Since 2016, France Football host the annual event for Ballon d’Or Dream Team, as the best footballers are judged based on their performances by journalists, national team coaches and captains from across the globe.
The Last Decade was dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi as both of them won 9 of the last 10 editions. Luka Modric is the only player who won the award in 2018 since the Ronaldo & Messi started winning from 2010.
Due to Covid-19 Pandemic Gala event was cancelled by France Football, hence they decided to release an All Time XI. A total of three teams were picked, all of whom were shared across social media platforms by France Football.
The list was finalized after receiving votes from 140 sports journalists across the globe. A total of 110 players were shortlisted as journalists cast their votes for the best player according to them in each position on the pitch. The team was announced on the basis of a 3-4-3 formation.
Ballon d’Or Dream Team: Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo de Nazario, Lionel messi, Pele, Lothar Mathaus, Xavi, Diego Maradona, Paolo Maldini, Franz Beckenbauer, Cafu, Lev Yachine
Russia’s legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin take his place as team’s No 1 while Cafu, Franz Beckenbauer and Paolo Maldini make up the side’s back-three, Xavi, Lothar Matthaus, Pele and Diego Maradona complete a four-man midfield, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Brazilian Ronaldo form a lethal front three
The silver team is made up of Buffon, Carlos Alberto, Baresi, Roberto Carlos, Pirlo, Rijkaard, Zidane, Di Stefano, Garrincha, Ronaldinho, Cruyff.
While the bronze team is made up of Neuer, Lahm, Sergio Ramos, Breitner, Neeskens, Didi, Platini, Iniesta, Henry, Best, Van Basten .
Image source : France football twitter handle
