Greatest XI to have played with Cristiano Ronaldo

Right Midfielder - Toni Kroos

Toni Kroos is one of the best midfielders Cristiano Ronaldo has shared the pitch with over the years. The German can play across a plethora of positions in the middle third of the field.

A set-piece specialist, Kroos often prefers to play in a deep-lying midfield role, dictating the pace of games. The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner has a rasping shot from distance too.

Kroos and Ronaldo have won three consecutive Champions League titles and one La Liga trophy in four years in the Spanish capital. Kroos was recently among the players who applauded Ronaldo for reaching the 750-goal landmark for club and country.

Now 31, Kroos is still going strong at Real Madrid. He is one of the most experienced players at the club following the departures of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane this summer.

Central Midfielder - Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso (right) had a successful stint at Real Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo

Xabi Alonso is regarded as one of the best central/defensive midfielders to have graced the game since the turn of the century.

Alonso had a successful five-year stint with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, winning a La Liga and Champions League title. He scored just six times in over 200 games for the club, but provided over 30 assists across all competitions.

The midfielder later went to Bayern Munich, where he enjoyed more success before calling time on his career.

Alonso once said about Ronaldo:

"Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are both amazing players, you can see the goals they score. But for me, Cristiano is the best."

Left Midfielder - Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo were teammates at Manchester United

Ryan Giggs is one of the most decorated one-club men in the history of the sport. The legendary Manchester United player won a record 13 Premier League titles with the club, three of them coming with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Giggs and Ronaldo were teammates at Old Trafford for six years. During this period, the duo also reached consecutive Champions League finals (won in 2008, lost in 2009).

The Welshman's versatility allowed him to be deployed across a bevy of positions in the middle and attacking third. Giggs scored 165 goals and provided 250 assists in nearly 950 games across all competitions for Manchester United.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh