Luka Modric snubs Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as he builds ultimate six-a-side team
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Luka Modric has named a star-studded six-a-side team of footballing legends but there’s no room for Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid midfielder is one of the sport’s best in his own right having won 27 trophies with the club as well as the Ballon d’Or.
Modric has also played alongside fellow icons that include Karim Benzema, Iker Casillas and Gareth Bale during his glittering career.
When tasked with selecting six of the best as part of a fictional team, he made some bold choices alongside two glaring omissions.
Speaking to icons.com, he had to first pick one goalkeeper, with Gianluigi Buffon and Emiliano Martinez among the options.
“It’s [a] difficult choice but for me, it’s easy because I played with him, it’s Iker,” said Modric, who played 63 matches with him at Madrid.
The 39-year-old added: “And not just because he played with me, but he’s one of the best ever.”
Next up was two defenders and despite their legendary statuses, Cafu and Giorgio Chiellini were unable to make it into Modric’s team.
“For me, I will choose Roberto Carlos, maybe [the] best left-back ever,” he claimed.
“Here, it’s between [Fabio] Cannavaro and [Paolo] Maldini. Cannavaro, Golden Ball, everything, world champion. But I go with Maldini.”
Modric was then presented with a variety of midfield options such as Andres Iniesta, Roberto Baggio and David Beckham.
“It’s very hard,” he said, with only two midfielders allowed to make it into his team.
“I cannot mistake a lot, but for me [Diego] Maradona and Zizou [Zinedine Zidane]. Even all these are top but I will choose these two.”
Modric’s final selection was an attacker and he had to choose from big names that included Pele, as well as Messi and Ronaldo.
“For me, between [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Ronaldo. I played with one, but this one [the latter] was my favourite growing up.
“I fell in love with his game and… wow. And others are also… Romario, Messi, Pele, but I go with Ronaldo.”
Having made 222 appearances and won various trophies, including four Champions Leagues, with Ronaldo, this may come as a surprise.
“Sorry Cris!” he said at the end after omitting the Portuguese legend and current Al Nassr star.
Messi’s exclusion may also be a shock for fans, with the World Cup winner arguably the greatest football player of all-time.
The Inter Miami forward has won a record eight Ballons d’Or, but this didn’t seem to be enough for him to be part of Modric’s selections.
