Revealed: The Champions League’s Greatest XI Has Been Voted By Fans

Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona captain Lionel Messi have both been voted by fans in the best Champions League XI of all time.

Journalists at the BBC shortlisted players who have made over 60 appearances in UEFA's top-tier club competition and have played in at least one final.

And fans had the final say on who would make the starting XI, with BBC Sport posting the results after the votes had been cast.

The Champions League XI, which is lined up in a 4-3-3, features Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks.

The 43-year-old Italian shot-stopper's 32 per cent of the vote was enough to see off second-place Iker Casillas (29 per cent) and third-place Edwin van der Sar (14 per cent).

Ahead of Buffon is the defensive partnership of AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini (73 per cent) and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos (52 per cent).

Former Barcelona star Dani Alves (40 per cent) was selected at right-back, while Brazil legend Roberto Carlos (40 per cent) was named as the left-back.

The all-star three-man midfield features French icon Zinedine Zidane (63 per cent) alongside Barcelona legends Andres Iniesta (53 per cent) and Xavi (40 per cent).

Steven Gerrard, who played an instrumental role in Liverpool's 2005 Champions League triumph, was the fourth most popular pick with 23 per cent of the vote.

Messi (88 per cent) takes up his place on the right wing and Ronaldo (90 per cent) is out on the left wing.

Joining Messi and Ronaldo in the trident attack force is Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who narrowly edged his place in the team.

According to BBC Sport, Ronaldo was the top pick at both left wing and as the striker.

However, the 36-year-old Portuguese forward was more popular on left wing by fans, meaning that Henry was selected as the striker.

Only a 0.2 per cent margin separated Henry from Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski in the vote.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Xavi, Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos, Paolo Maldini, Football, Lionel Messi, UEFA, Andres Iniesta, Zinedine Zidane, Gianluigi Buffon, Champions League, Roberto Carlos, thierry henry, Cristiano Ronaldo

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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