Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and more: Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko builds his ideal footballer
Former Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko has built his dream footballer by incorporating aspects from the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The duo are widely regarded as two of the best players to have graced the game.
Despite being into their late 30s, Messi and Ronaldo are still going strong, having amassed over 800 goals for club and country during their illustrious careers. They have played for some of the top clubs in the world and won a plethora of big titles and individual awards.
In an interaction with 1vs1 (via Football Italia), AC Milan legend Shevchenko constructed his perfect player by taking up aspects from Francesco Totti, Messi, Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe, Ronaldo Nazario and Didier Drogba.
“Right foot of Francesco Totti, left foot of Messi, heading ability of Cristiano Ronaldo, speed of Mbappe, dribbling of Ronaldo The Phenomenon, physical power of Didier Drogba.”
Shevchenko played alongside Drogba at Chelsea and against all the others except Mbappe, who has joined Real Madrid this summer on a free transfer. Messi, who plays for MLS side Inter Miami, and Ronaldo, who does so for Saudi Pro league giants Al-Nassr, are the only other active players on Shevchecko's list.
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are coming off lean international outings
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are coming off lean international outings. Ronaldo drew a blank in five games at Euro 2024, where Portugal crashed out on penalties to France in the quarter-final following a goalless 120 minutes.
The 39-year-old did provide an assist and scored twice in as many shootouts but failed in his bid to become the first player to score in six Euros, notably missing an extra-time penalty in the Round-of-16 shootout win over Slovenia.
Messi, meanwhile, endured an injury-plagued 2024 Copa America campaign for Argentina, who beat Colombia 1-0 in extra time in the final. The 37-year-old contributed a goal and an assist in five games but won a record 45th title for club and country.