Di Maria picks dream XI he has ever played with, snubs Ronaldo
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Di Maria snubs Ronaldo in his dream XI || Imago, Goal and Sportskeeda

Di Maria picks dream XI he has ever played with, snubs Ronaldo

Stephen Oladehinde 15:25 - 31.01.2024

In a recent interview with MARCA, Angel Di Maria revealed his ultimate dream team, showcasing the best players he's ever shared the pitch with.

However, the Argentine maestro showed no mercy when it came to Cristiano Ronaldo, leaving the football icon out of his lineup. 

As Di Maria nears the end of his international career, he reflected on his football journey, highlighting some of the most formidable talents he's had the privilege to play alongside.

Di Maria's Dream Team Selections

Daily Mail reported that Di Maria opted for Emi Martinez in goal, citing his heroic exploits at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina emerged victorious.

Di Maria and Emi Martinez || Sportskeeda
Di Maria and Emi Martinez || Sportskeeda

At centre-back, he chose Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi, both former teammates from Real Madrid and the Argentine national team. Interestingly, Di Maria decided against picking a right-back, leaving a gap in his lineup.

Moving to the midfield, Di Maria selected Javier Mascherano and Rui Costa, two players he admires for their contributions to the game. His choice for the left-back position was the 'incredible' Marcelo from Real Madrid.

In the attacking department, Di Maria assembled a formidable quartet comprising Lionel Messi, Neymar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Kylian Mbappe. Together, these four players boast an impressive tally of almost 2,200 goals.

Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe || Goal
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe || Goal

Regarding his selections, Di Maria commented, "I had the opportunity to play with so many and have that privilege that sometimes if they don't ask me a question like that, I don't start thinking about who I played with. 

"The truth is that it is crazy if I have to put myself together. I could easily put together two all-star teams."

Argentina star Di Maria || Imago
Argentina star Di Maria || Imago

Ronaldo Left Out

Notably, Di Maria's dream team did not include Cristiano Ronaldo, leaving the Portuguese star on the sidelines. This decision echoes sentiments from other football legends like Ronaldo Nazario, who recently omitted Cristiano Ronaldo from his list of the eight greatest players ever.

Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo || Imago
Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo || Imago

At 35, Di Maria continues to impress at Benfica, where he moved in the summer. Enjoying a fruitful season, he has contributed 11 goals and five assists, helping Benfica secure a strong position in the Portuguese top flight.