Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Santos: The greatest XIs in history

What is the greatest XI the sport of football has ever seen?

It’s a question that has no definitive right answer. Members of the older generation will swing towards Brazil’s 1970 World Cup winners, while those who are younger may point to Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona side.

To be honest, there are simply too many marvellous XIs to pick from.

Narrowing it down to just a select few is even tough, but back in 2019, Spanish newspaper Marca did just that.

The publication selected what they believe to be the 11 greatest XIs in football history, domestic or international. Let’s take a look at their picks…

The XI: Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Cesc Fabregas.

Spain’s starting XI for their 4-0 Euro 2012 final victory over Italy which secured three major international trophies on the trot. Getting the ball off that team was nigh on impossible…

The XI: Felix, Carlos Alberto, Brito, Piazza, Everaldo, Clodoaldo, Gerson, Jairzinho, Rivellino, Tostao, Pele.

A team full of legends. At the 1970 World Cup, Brazil played football from another planet and smashed Italy 4-1 in the final to get their hands on the trophy for a third time in 12 years.

The XI: Juanito Alonso, Marquitos, Jose Santamaria, Rafael Lesmes, Juan Santisteban, Jose Maria Zarraga, Raymond Kopa, Hector Rial, Alfredo di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Paco Gento.

Five European Cups in a row? Yeah, Real Madrid achieved that extraordinary feat from 1956 to 1960 thanks to the the likes of Puskas, Di Stefano, Kopa and Gento, four icons of the game.

The XI: Victor Valdes, Dani Alves, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Eric Abidal, Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez,