In a harmonious conjugation of footballing prowess, Lionel Messi, the maestro of the pitch, has mustered his ultimate XI of teammates, comprising some of the most illustrious names in the sport. And what a symphony it is! Tucked away in a December 2023 interview with GOAL Arabia, Messi’s pick of former Barcelona and international colleagues is a testament to the lasting bonds forged on the turf.
Messi’s ultimate XI is a veritable who’s who of footballing royalty. Up front, the Inter Miami captain selects his former Barca strike partners Neymar Jr and Luis Suarez, with whom he achieved unprecedented success during their three-year partnership in Catalonia. That triumvirate of Messi, Neymar, and Suarez wreaked havoc on opposing defenses, plundering goals with reckless abandon. Messi accounted for 153 strikes, Suarez 121, and Neymar 90 during their time together at the Camp Nou.
The attacking triumvirate reunited briefly when Messi joined Neymar at Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, playing together for two seasons before Messi made the move to Inter Miami. Suarez, meanwhile, this year joined the Herons, ensuring the on-field camaraderie has been rekindled once more. In his XI, Messi also selects current Real Madrid sensation Kylian Mbappé, who arrived at the Spanish capital from PSG this summer.
In midfield, Messi turns to his trusted lieutenant Ronaldinho, with whom he forged a partnership that transcended generations. Alongside the legendary midfield duo of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, Messi’s choice bolsters the creative quotient of his XI. Notably absent from the midfield selection is Sergio Busquets, Messi’s current Inter Miami teammate, who could have been a shoo-in given his undeniable talent.
The Argentine maestro’s rearguard features Jordi Alba and Dani Alves as the left- and right-backs, respectively. In the heart of defense, Messi selects Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol, two stalwarts of Spanish football’s golden era. Mascherano, in fact, has recently joined Messi at Inter Miami, where he has taken up the mantle as the club’s new head coach. The only member of Messi’s XI still plying his trade at Barcelona is goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
The omission of Sergio Busquets notwithstanding, Messi’s XI is an A-list ensemble that reads like a who’s who of footballing immortals. It is a testament to the bonds forged on the pitch, the enduring legacy of Barcelona’s golden generation, and Messi’s enduring influence on the sport.
