Messi, Ronaldo, Pele, Zidane: European vs South American all-time XI - who wins?

Let’s say the greatest ever team of European-born footballers were to play the greatest ever team of South American-born stars – who would win?

The two continents have dominated the beautiful game for generations with practically all of football’s biggest legends hailing from one of the two regions.

South America have produced three of the four players that many would venture as candidates for the ‘greatest of all time debate’ in Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

Whilst Europe has contributed just the one in the form of famous Cristiano Ronaldo. But, then again, is there an argument to suggest that Europe has produced a larger volume of legends over the years?

Maybe so. Which means that deciphering who would win in this hypothetical dreamland a pretty tricky task.

First things first, let’s decide the teams.

GK – Lev Yashin

CB – Sergio RamosCB – Franz Beckenbauer CB – Paolo Maldini

RM – Johan CruyffCM – Xavi HernandezCM – Zinedine ZidaneLM – Andres Iniesta

RF – Ferenc Puskas ST – Gerd MullerLF – Cristiano Ronaldo

Now, that is one hell of a team. And although we’re sure that you disagree with a couple of inclusions or would maybe have opted for an alternative player in certain positions, we feel like that’s a good representation for Europe.

Don’t get us wrong, as ever in these hypothetical all-time XI’s squad balance goes out the window.

But what we’ve lost in squad balance we’ve made up for in quite unbelievable levels of footballing talent.

In Yashin, we have the most renowned goalkeeper in history. The Russian saved over 150 penalties and kept over 250 clean sheets in his career.

Not that he would likely be needed all that much with the defence packed to the brim with arguably the best gladiators