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Lewandowski snubs Ronaldo, Messi and himself from dream 5-a-side team

22 May 2024 , 15:04
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Three of Lewandowski
Three of Lewandowski's five players spent at least some of their careers at Barcelona

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI surprisingly left both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo out of his dream all-time five-a-side team.

SunSport exclusively sat down with the Polish striker, 35, to discuss a range of topics including his former manager Jurgen Klopp's farewell from Liverpool.

Robert Lewandowski has named his dream five-a-side team qhidqkiqddiqxqprw
Robert Lewandowski has named his dream five-a-side teamCredit: Getty
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did not make Lewandowski's side
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did not make Lewandowski's sideCredit: Getty

He also opened up about Borussia Dortmund blocking him from joining Manchester United in 2012 after a phone call with Sir Alex Ferguson had made him determined to secure a move.

But perhaps the most surprising part of the interview was when Lewandowski reeled off his five-a-side team.

Able to choose from any era, he selected legendary Brazilian keeper Claudio Taffarel to play in between the sticks.

Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin NunezJurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin Nunez

He then went for Spain's World Cup-winning captain Carles Puyol in defence, before he selected Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho to drop in behind Thierry Henry.

He also said he would coach the team.

Speaking at the announcement of his partnership with gaming company G2A, he said: "So goalkeeper, I'm thinking about Taffarel from Brazil. That was 20 years ago, but the goalkeeper that I loved to watch.

"Defender, Puyol.

"Three more, so now I'm an offensive team.

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"So midfield player, I'm going to choose Zidane... and striker Thierry Henry.

Lewandowski selected iconic Brazil keeper Claudio Taffarel
Lewandowski selected iconic Brazil keeper Claudio TaffarelCredit: EPA
He went for Barcelona and Spain legend Carles Puyol as his only defender
He went for Barcelona and Spain legend Carles Puyol as his only defenderCredit: AFP

"I will be the coach. I'll be on the line, I can manage them.

"Who's going to be one more? Ah, yeah. Prime Ronaldinho, for sure."

Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane were picked as the playmakers in Lewandowski's team
Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane were picked as the playmakers in Lewandowski's teamCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Keeper Taffarel, 58, earned 101 caps for Brazil between 1988 and 1998, winning the World Cup in 1994.

Lewandowski gets three-game ban despite Barca return as court upholds suspensionLewandowski gets three-game ban despite Barca return as court upholds suspension

He then helped them reach a second successive World Cup final four years later - saving two penalties in the semi-final against the Netherlands - before they lost 3-0 to France.

Interestingly, he now works as a goalkeeping coach for both Liverpool and the Brazil national team.

Puyol, 46, spent 15 years in Barcelona's first team, winning six LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues.

He also helped Spain to glory at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Barcelona wizard Ronaldinho, 44, only spent five years at the Nou Camp but is widely regarded as one of their greatest players, winning two LaLiga titles and the Champions League.

Alongside Ronaldo Nazario and Rivaldo, he also lifted the 2002 World Cup with Brazil.

Arsenal icon Henry, 46, won two Premier League titles with the Gunners and became their record scorer with 226 goals.

He then joined Barcelona and claimed successive LaLiga titles, while he also scooped the Champions League in 2009.

At international level, he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France.

G2A.COM is the world's largest and most trusted marketplace for digital entertainment where users can choose from more than 75,000 digital offerings including games, DLCs, in-game items, as well as non-gaming items like gift cards, subscriptions and software.

Thierry Henry made it into Lewandowski's team as the lone striker
Thierry Henry made it into Lewandowski's team as the lone strikerCredit: Getty
How Lewandowski's dream five-a-side team would look
How Lewandowski's dream five-a-side team would look

Dylan Terry

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