Messi or Maradona? Pelé on the wing or through the middle? Is there room for both Ronaldos? The all-time XI is football's greatest pub debate — and the only way to win it is to actually build your team, put it on a pitch, and defend every pick. Here's how to do it properly.
The rules of a proper all-time XI
- Pick a real formation. "My best 11 players" isn't a team. Four forwards and no left-back gets you laughed out of the group chat — start with a shape from our formations guide.
- Positions matter. Playing Messi at left wing-back doesn't count as "fitting him in".
- One era rule (optional): some run "players I actually watched" XIs — often the best debates.
- Defend every pick. If you can't justify Cannavaro over van Dijk, someone will make you.
For reference: the Ballon d'Or Dream Team
When France Football polled fans and 140 correspondents for the official all-time XI, they landed on a 3-4-3: Yashin; Cafú, Beckenbauer, Maldini; Matthäus, Xavi, Pelé, Maradona; Messi, Ronaldo Nazário, Cristiano Ronaldo. Agree? Most people don't — which is exactly the point. Build your own answer.
How to build your all-time XI in the app
The My Lineup app has a dedicated Legends tab in its player database — Pelé, Maradona, Cruyff, Eusébio, Cantona, the original Ronaldo and many more, alongside 20,000+ modern men's and women's players, all with real photos.
- Pick your formation — the Ballon d'Or team's 3-4-3, a classic 4-4-2, whatever fits your picks.
- Tap each position and search the Legends tab or the full player database.
- Drag players to fine-tune — put Pelé exactly where you think Pelé should play.
- Pick a kit worthy of the team (or design a custom one).
- Save it, export the image, and post it. Then prepare to defend it.
Build your all-time XI free
20,000+ players including legends, every formation, one-tap sharing.
All-time XI ideas beyond the GOAT team
- All-time club XI — best-ever Arsenal, United, Madrid… wearing the real club kit.
- National all-time XI — England's best ever is a guaranteed argument.
- Premier League era XI — 1992 onwards only.
- Women's all-time XI — the database covers women's football too.
- You + 10 legends — create yourself as a custom player and slot in next to Messi. Or go further and make your own FUT card first.