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Cristiano Ronaldo is a man who can often do it all by himself, but even he needs his teammates from time to time.
From Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United, from Real Madrid to Juventus, Ronaldo has established himself as one of the world’s greats during the 21st century, and his performances for Portugal apparently set new records every time he puts on his shirt. .
But who have been the players who go to battle with him most often?
After discovering Lionel Messi’s most common teammates, it’s time to discover the closest and dearest of his great rival during his surprising career at the top end of the game.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
- The XI is made up of players who made more appearances with our outstanding player. We are not looking for a ‘Best’ overall XI, and the player himself is not in it.
- The appearance numbers are based on the time they spent on the field at the same time as our main man, taking into account both club and international level.
- These aren’t necessarily the eleven players who have spent the most time on the field with him, just the eleven who would fit into a team.
- We are not going to make it to a Garth Crooksesque formation, but we could name submarines if we wanted to.
- All minutes played and appearance statistics are courtesy of transfermarkt.co.uk.
- Don’t be mad in the comments section.
Here is the last XI of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas
Appearances with Ronaldo: 228
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
The Real Madrid legend was the man among the posts for much of Ronaldo’s time at the Bernabéu, picking up an agreement of Champions League winners and a La Liga title alongside him.
Right back: Sergio Ramos
Appearances with Ronaldo: 339
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
Obviously, we know he is more of a central player, but Ramos also did a job on the right in his youth and can be pressured for service there given the talent this team has at center.
Center-back: Pepe
Appearances with Ronaldo: 321
(Image: Getty Images)
The former Real Madrid center-back sees his numbers increase by playing with Ronaldo for Portugal, and the pair lift the European Championship trophy in 2016.
Center-back: Rio Ferdinand
Appearances with Ronaldo: 221
(Image: Getty Images)
The Manchester United stalwart signed for the Old Trafford giants a year before Ronaldo, and had a regular presence in the back when the Portuguese star became the player he became United for.
Left: Marcelo.
Appearances with Ronaldo: 332
(Image: AFP / Getty Images)
Only two players have played with Ronaldo more frequently than the Brazilian, who came to the club before him and is still there today, having enjoyed several of the highest highs.
Right midfield: Isco
Appearances with Ronaldo: 188
(Image: X01095)
It’s a surprise that Isco has played with Ronaldo more frequently than several other midfielders, but then he was his teammate for five years at Real Madrid.
Central midfield: Xabi Alonso
Appearances with Ronaldo: 208
(Image: Jasper Juinen)
The elegant midfielder joined Real in the same summer as Ronaldo in 2009, and then won the league title and the Champions League alongside him.
Central midfield: Luka Modric
Appearances with Ronaldo: 222
(Image: Getty Images)
No other midfielder has played more games with Ronaldo than the Croatian, who also became the first player to break the 10-year Ronaldo-Lionel Messi Ballon d’Or duopoly in January 2019.
I’m not sure Ronaldo would have thanked him for that.
Left Midfield: Ryan Giggs
Appearances with Ronaldo: 204
(Image: The Daily Mirror)
We return to United for our left winger, with club legend Giggs playing with Ronaldo for six years at Old Trafford and winning three consecutive Premier League titles between 2006 and 2009, as well as the 2008 Champions League.
Forward: Wayne Rooney
Appearances with Ronaldo: 206
(Image: PA)
Rooney and Ronaldo flourished side by side under Sir Alex Ferguson at United to become two of the most exciting attackers of the 2000s, winning three Premier League and Champions League titles together.
Forward: Karim Benzema
Appearances with Ronaldo: 342
(Image: GEORGI LICOVSKI / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock)
No footballer has played more games for Ronaldo than Benzema, who joined Real Madrid the same summer as him in 2009 and played with him on offense for nine years, winning four Champions League titles.
Substitutes: Van der Sar (167) O’Shea (215), Arbeloa (201), Varane (199), Scholes (183), Khedira (173), Higuaín (172).
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