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Valentine: A starting XI of the most loved footballers in history

Happy Valentine's Day!

Keeping in the spirit of Valentine's Day, we take a look at a starting XI of the most loved footballers in history who were seen as heroes in the eyes of even their fieriest rivals.

While footballers like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are loved and hated by fans, these footballers are loved all round regardless of where or who they played for.

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Not everyone in football loves Messi and Ronaldo

Let's take a look at a Valentine's first XI in a 4-3-3 formation.

GK: Gianluigi Buffon - This was a hard choice as we could have gone with Oliver Kahn or Iker Casillas but even those two admit that Buffon's longevity and sportsmanship transcends all.

The Juventus goalie is still going strong at 38 and despite playing 21 years at the top flight still has the passion of an 18-year-old. Regarded by many as the greatest in his position ever.

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Gianluigi Buffon

RB: Cafu - The Brazilian legend won the World Cup as captain in 2002 and has numerous other titles to his name. Regarded by some as the greatest right back ever.

Cafu still commands respect till this day despite retiring almost a decade ago.

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Cafu lifts the 2002 World Cup

CB: Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta - There was a period in history when these two were considered the best in the world in their position with Maldini always a feature on all time greatest ever list.

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Maldini (left) and Nesta (right)

LB: Roberto Carlos - Greatest left-back ever? Well he has Maldini to battle that for. Everyone loves his bending free-kicks.

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Roberto Carlos

Mid: Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard, Zinedane Zidane - Pirlo still plays professionally in the MLS while the other two are retired.

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Andrea Pirlo

Lampard is probably the greatest goalscoring midfielder ever and the love even those who hate Chelsea was too much when he announced his retirement earlier this month.

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Frank Lampard

Zidane is seen by many as one of the greatest if not the greatest midfielder ever. Who wasn't a fan of the Champions League winning coach as a child.

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Zidane won the World Cup, Champions League and Euros

Att: Diego Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo - Pele and Maradona are seen as the greatest footballers ever and rightly so. They are still big celebrities despite retiring decades ago.

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Pele alongside Diego Maradona

Ronaldinho takes out left attacking berth. Is there a footballer more loved that the always smiling Samba star and Barcelona legend?

Valentine: Most loved footballers in history

Ronaldinho

What do you think about our list?

Honorable mentions: Iker Casillas, John Terry, Andres Iniesta, Kanu Nwankwo, Johann Cruyff, Pablo Cannavaro, Thierry Henry, Ronaldo (the original).

Source: Legit.ng



from Nigeria News today & Breaking Naija news ▷ Read on Legit.ng 24/7 http://bit.ly/2TJbBnP
via EDUPEDIA24/7

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