CRISTIANO RONALDO’S top team-mates have been revealed with just THREE Manchester United stars making the cut.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has cemented a reputation as a man who can do it on his own, but even the Portuguese occasionally has to rely on support – especially from his regular colleagues.
From early days at Sporting Lisbon and Old Trafford to a decade of dominance at Real Madrid before joining Juventus, CR7 has played with the best.
But the Mirror have found out the players who have lined up alongside the 35-year-old the most, not an overall list of the most talented players.
John O’Shea has also made more appearances with Ronaldo than some of the attackers in the team, but can’t quite squeeze into this XI.
Here’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s ultimate XI…
Iker Casillas
The Spanish World Cup winner has made 228 appearances alongside Ronaldo during the pair’s time in Madrid as they scooped a Champions League and a LaLiga title together.
Edwin van der Sar, who was between the sticks for much of the Portugal captain’s time at United, is next up with 167 games with the forward.
Ronaldo was mentored by Rio Ferdinand during his formative years at Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor
Sergio Ramos
Although he has since developed into one of the world’s best centre-back, the Madrid skipper broke through on the right side of defence in his younger days.
Ramos’ 339 appearances with Ronaldo are enough to warrant him edging out Alvaro Arbeloa’s 201 games.
Pepe
The ex-Madrid hardman’s appearances with Ronaldo have boosted by playing alongside him at both club level and the Portugal national team.
Pepe has lined up next to his compatriot 321 times en route to a Euro 2016 win, and relegates his former teammate Raphael Varane’s score of 199.
Rio Ferdinand
The England legend made his switch to Old Trafford a year before Ronaldo and his leadership qualities during their 221 games together would have been instrumental in CR7’s ascent to the top.
Ferdinand in particular once revealed that United’s squad used to try to wind up the Juve superstar by mentioning long-term rival Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo became a multi Champions League winner alongside Real Madrid teammates Luka Modric and Sergio RamosCredit: AFP or licensors
Marcelo
Only two players in the team have gone into battle with Ronaldo more than the Brazilian left-back, who can boast a staggering 332 appearances with the striker.
Cristiano was reportedly such a fan of their chemistry together that he urged Maurizio Sarri to bring his former Madrid team-mate to Turin this summer.
Isco
Perhaps the most surprising name in the team, the diminutive Spaniard featured in 188 games with Ronaldo during their five years at the Bernabeu together.
That earns him a spot over Paul Scholes (183) and Sami Khedira (173).
Xabi Alonso
The former linchpin in Liverpool’s midfield in their battles against Ronaldo’s United, Alonso joined Madrid in the same 2009 summer as his Prem rival.
The World Cup winner then went on to make 208 appearances with the Portuguese in which they claimed both European and domestic glory.
Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney blossomed into two of the best attackers in world football under Sir Alex FergusonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Luka Modric
The Croat has the prestigious title of the midfielder with the most appearances alongside Ronaldo at 222 games.
Incidentally, Modric was also the first player to break up his former Madrid teammates Ballon d’Or duopoly with Messi with his win in January 2019.
Ryan Giggs
The Welsh wizard featured next to Ronaldo 204 times during their six years together at Old Trafford in which they lifted three back-to-back Premier League titles between 2006 and 2009.
Unfortunately for Cristiano, he’s beaten to a spot in Giggs’ most regular teammates by Nicky Butt!
Wayne Rooney
The former England captain takes the last of United’s three entrants in Ronaldo’s top team-mates after 206 games together.
Ex-Madrid and Juventus frontman Gonzalo Higuain is warming the bench with his 172 appearances.
Karim Benzema
No footballer has played more matches next to Ronaldo than the Frenchman, who can boast 342 games in their nine years together after joining in the same summer.
Benzema admitted last year that he used to do all of the Portuguese’s hard work off the ball and has since flourished in front of goal himself in his absence.
Cristiano Ronaldo unveiled to Real Madrid fans following world record £80m transfer in 2009
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
