FourFourTwo's best team ever: Our ultimate XI of the last 30 years

Presenting the best team ever - of FourFourTwo's lifetime, at least: an XI who have defined the past 30 years of football

FourFourTwo's Best Team Ever

FourFourTwo's best team ever

FourFourTwo's Best Team Ever (Image credit: Future)

Substitutes: Andrea Pirlo, Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo

FourFourTwo's best team ever

Classic FourFourTwo covers featuring Andrea Pirlo, Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo (Image credit: Future)

There had to be omissions. But we didn't think they would be this controversial.

With the formation being a 4-4-2, there was only room for two forwards. Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo were both popular picks but Ronaldo and Messi were simply a little more popular. Even if we considered Ronaldo for the right or left of midfield… he still didn't get as many votes as either Beckham or Ronaldinho.

Andrea Pirlo was close to being picked, too – but just missed out by half a point to Andres Iniesta. Isn't that always the way?

Every player who received two or more votes that didn't make the team or the bench…

  • Gianluigi Buffon
  • Marcelo
  • Rio Ferdinand
  • Ashley Cole
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold
  • Jaap Stam
  • Roberto Carlos
  • Roy Keane
  • Ryan Giggs
  • Patrick Vieira
Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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