FORMER Everton and Real Madrid man Royston Drenthe has named his ultimate five-a-side team of stars he has played alongside.
But there is no room for five time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo – while Ross Barkley DOES make the cut.
Drenthe, 36, has gone into acting after hanging up his boots, but played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
He played alongside Ronaldo during the 2009-10 campaign, CR7’s first in Madrid after joining from Manchester United.
However, despite Ron’s enormous success, Drenthe has left him out of his five-a-side team of players he has shared the pitch with.
Naming his ultimate five-a-side team, Drenthe exclusively told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “The first name in there, without a doubt, is Pepe. The guy is crazy, man. He’s someone you want on your team when you’re playing in those small games, for sure. You don’t want to be playing against him!
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“In goal, I have to pick Iker Casillas. Obviously he’s one of the best goalkeepers we’ve ever seen, but he was so comfortable on the ball, too, he’s perfect for five-a-side.”
Going into midfield, Drenthe included ex-Everton and Chelsea midfielder Barkley in his team, with the pair playing together at Goodison Park.
After showing huge promise at Everton, Barkley struggled to find the same form after joining Chelsea in 2018.
He left Stamford Bridge by mutual consent last summer, and is now at French side Nice.
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However, the 29-year-old has started just eight Ligue 1 games this season.
But Drenthe praised Barkley for his huge talent on the pitch, as well as what the 33-cap England man is like away from football.
He said: “I’m putting myself in there, in midfield, and Robinho up-front. That was unbelievable and, again, this style of football just suits him perfectly. He’s straight in there for me.
“And then I’d have someone from Everton alongside me in midfield… I’d go with Ross Barkley.
“I loved playing with Ross; I loved everything about him on and off the pitch. He was so strong, quick and technically gifted. But he was such a nice guy, too.
“I was quite young while I was at Everton, but I think Ross was still just 18. Even at that age, though, we could all see how special he was going to be.
“It’s a shame things haven’t quite worked out for him but, my God, what a player he was. He’s making my five-a-side team, for sure.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
