Gerard Pique snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo when naming his dream seven-a-side team, despite featuring two Premier League players.
Since forming the Kings League in 2022, a unique seven-a-side football league in Barcelona, Pique has been heavily involved the sport of seven-a-side.
Several of the best footballers in recent years have been involved with Pique's Kings League, including Barcelona legend Ronaldinho and Premier League great Sergio Aguero.
But neither man featured in the dream team of seven-a-side players drafted by Pique earlier this year.
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Speaking to Sky Sports in March, the Spaniard listed the best footballers that he would bring together for his ideal Kings League side.
Explaining his choices, he said: "My formation would be 3-2-1 because it's the one that I think works better for the King's league format.
"I would choose Iker Casillas in goal. The three in the back I would say [Carlos] Puyol, Rio Ferdinand and myself.
"Then in the midfield I would say [Andres] Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas.
"Up front, Leo Messi"
When asked if he would include former rival Cristiano Ronaldo in his seven-a-side squad, Pique replied: "I have to choose one striker Leo and Cristiano, I decide for Leo."
Pique played alongside Messi at Barcelona for 13 years, making 506 appearances together and winning multiple trophies in La Liga and the Champions League.
The Barcelona icon later explained on The Club podcast exactly why he picked each player in the lineup.
"Ferdinand and Puyol been important for me in a personal way" he added.
"I was really young when I joined Manchester United, and Rio helped me with that,
"Also when I joined Barcelona, I was 21, and Puyol was captain, and he also helped me a lot to start my career. Those two have been two incredible centre-backs.
"I'll say Cesc Fabregas because he's like a brother, and, I think, in the Premier League, he's been one of the greatest; his first year at Arsenal was incredible.
"I would also say Iniesta because he won us the World Cup, and the goal is more than enough, but the quality he had is just amazing."
Topics: Gerard Pique, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona, Premier League, Football
Ben McCrum