Best Possible Football XI In The World Right Now

1. Left Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates the first goal
Daniel Ochoa de Olza/AP

The clubhouse leader for this year's Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo smashed Jimmy Greaves' long-standing record of 366 goals in Europe's top five leagues last season. He has now reached the 400-goal mark for Real Madrid, and in a year when some critics tried to suggest that his powers were waning, the Portuguese continues finding new ways to write his name into the history books.

Like the rest of his club's top stars, Ronaldo was rested at various points throughout Real's busy season, keeping him fresh for the run-in, and he responded by scoring twice in the Champions League final. His return of 25 La Liga goals was his lowest since joining Los Blancos, but there's no doubt that he's still one of the top two players in the world.

Ronaldo is ageing, and not quite as explosive as he once was, but he's still borderline impossible to stop. Recent seasons have seen him become more of a finisher than a provider, and he remains a force of nature in that regard, even when playing as a left-sided attacker. These adaptations will see him continue at the top of the game even as age drains his athleticism, and he'll remain a talismanic figure wherever he goes.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.